Prozac Nation (2001)

Director:

Erik Skjoldbjærg

Writers (WGA):

Elizabeth Wurtzel (based on the book by)
Galt Niederhoffer (adaptation)
(more)

Release Date:

22 August 2003 (Norway)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Pledge allegiance. Life's a drag.

Plot:

A young woman struggles with depression during her first year at Harvard. Based on Elizabeth Wurtzel's novel.

Plot Keywords:

Harvard | Depression | Therapy | Suicide Attempt | Sex

Cast

Christina Ricci	...	Elizabeth
Jason Biggs	...	Rafe
Anne Heche	...	Dr. Sterling
Michelle Williams	...	Ruby
Jonathan Rhys Meyers	...	Noah (as Jonathan Rhys-Meyers)
Jessica Lange	...	Mrs. Wurtzel
Jesse Moss	...	Sam
Nicholas Campbell	...	Donald (as Nick Campbell)
Zoe Miller	...	Elizabeth at 12
Sheila Paterson	...	Grandmother
Rob Freeman	...	Mister Cool
Nicole Parker	...	Waitress (as Nicole Parker Smith)
Frida Betrani	...	Julia
Klodyne Rodney	...	Nurse
Ian Tracey	...	Rolling Stone Editor
Wendy Noel	...	Mrs. Edelman
Bill Marchant	...	Lecturer
Tom Kent	...	Lecturer
Christine Anton	...	Mrs. Stevenson
Cindy Lentol	...	Sheryl (as Cyndy Lentol)
Paula Plum	...	Geeky Mom
Paul Hoover	...	Geeky Dad
Tammy Bentz	...	Announcer
Emily Perkins	...	Ellen
Maddy Capozzi	...	Amy
Claude De Martino	...	Grandfather
Charles Andre	...	Mugger
Mike Mitchell	...	Purse Snatcher
Brad Swaile	...	Student
Charles Siegel	...	Dr. Isaacs
Lou Reed	...	Lou Reed
Raahul Singh	...	Khalil
Chiara Zanni	...	Ruby's Roommate
Stephen Basilone	...	Warren
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jack Fleischer	...	Harvard Student (uncredited)
Colby Johannson	...	Frat Guy (uncredited)
Alma Martinez	...	Professor (uncredited)
Josh Mead	...	Frat Guy (uncredited)
Todd Poudrier	...	Law Student (uncredited)
Jennifer Rappo	...	Student (uncredited)
Ronald Reagan	...	Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)

Directed by
Erik Skjoldbjærg

Writing credits (WGA)
Elizabeth Wurtzel		(based on the book by)
Galt Niederhoffer		(adaptation)
Frank Deasy		(screenplay) and
Larry Gross		(screenplay)

Produced by
Willi Bär	....	executive producer (as Willi Baer)
Rainer Bienger	....	associate producer: Cinerenta
Danny Dimbort	....	executive producer
Jason E. Frankel	....	co-executive producer (as Jason Frankel)
Lati Grobman	....	associate producer (as Deni Lati Grobman)
Ildiko Kemeny	....	line producer: UK (as Brad Kemeny)
Nadia Leonelli	....	line producer: second unit, New York
Avi Lerner	....	executive producer
R. Paul Miller	....	producer
Galt Niederhoffer	....	producer
Scott Putman	....	line producer: additional photography, Los Angeles
Christina Ricci	....	co-producer
Trevor Short	....	executive producer
Andrea Sperling	....	co-producer
Andrew Sugerman	....	line producer
Fredrik Sundwall	....	line producer: second unit, New York (as Frederick Sundevall)
John Thompson	....	executive producer
Brad Weston	....	producer

Original Music by
Nathan Larson

Cinematography by
Erling Thurmann-Andersen		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
James Lyons

Casting by
Nancy Doyle
Felicia Fasano
Anne McCarthy
Maura Tighe
Mary Vernieu

Production Design by
Clay A. Griffith

Art Direction by
Don Macaulay

Costume Design by
Terry Dresbach

Makeup Department
Jayne Dancose	....	makeup: Ms. Lange
Tamsin Dorling	....	hair artist: Ms. Ricci, UK (as Tasmin Dorling)
Tamsin Dorling	....	makeup artist: Ms. Ricci, UK (as Tasmin Dorling)
Frances Hannon	....	makeup artist: Ms. Lange, UK
Paul Huntley	....	wigs: additional photography, New York
Renate Leuschner	....	wigs: additional photography, Los Angeles (as Renata Leuscher)
Richard Mawbey	....	hairdresser: Ms. Lange, UK
Brenda McNally	....	assistant hair stylist: Boston
Vittorio Palmisani	....	first assistant hair stylist (as Vittorio Palmisano)
Connie Parker	....	key makeup artist
Connie Parker	....	key makeup artist: Boston
Tina Roesler Kerwin	....	makeup artist: additional photography/Los Angeles
Joe Rossi	....	assistant makeup artist: Boston
Sanna Seppanen	....	key hair stylist
Sanna Seppanen	....	key hair stylist: Boston
Roy Sidick	....	hair: Ms. Lange
Rupert Simon	....	hairdresser: Ms. Ricci, UK
Kelvin R. Trahan	....	hair stylist: additional photography/Los Angeles (as Kelvin Trahan)
Angela Wood	....	first assistant makeup artist

Production Management
Stewart Bethune	....	production manager (as Sterwart Bethune)
Joseph E. Foley	....	production manager: Boston (as Joe Foley)
Todd Gilbert	....	post-production supervisor
Lisa Parker	....	production manager: UK

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ashley Bell	....	assistant director
Timothy R. Boyce Jr.	....	second second assistant director: Boston (as TR Boyce)
Tristan Calvo	....	trainee assistant director
Carlos Fidel	....	second assistant director: UK
Caroline Fine	....	second assistant director: additional photography, Los Angeles
Dave 'Foots' Footman	....	second assistant director (as David Footman)
Bill Greenfield	....	second second assistant director: additional photography, Los Angeles
Debra Herst	....	third assistant director
Marco Londoner	....	first assistant director: Boston
Christopher Miller	....	first assistant director: additional photography, Los Angeles (as Chris Miller)
Aida Rodgers	....	second assistant director: Boston

Art Department
Eli Bø	....	production designer: UK (as Eli Bo)
Lisa Chugg	....	buyer: UK
Lisa Chugg	....	props master: UK
Colin Comeau	....	lead painter
Bruno Coupe	....	set dresser
Derek Del Puppo	....	construction coordinator
Mitch Devon	....	construction first aid
Ivar Dirikis	....	construction buyer (as Ivar Dirikas)
Dawn Marie Dowling	....	lead set decorator
Ken Doyle	....	third set decorator: Boston (as Kenny Doyle)
Emma Faroh	....	art department coordinator
Bobbie Frankel	....	set decorator: Boston
Jane Gottschlag	....	lead painter
Jurgen Gottschlag	....	paint coordinator
Kevin Griffin-Park	....	on-set dresser
Leah Hong	....	computer graphics
Shirley Inget	....	set director
Kim Jackson	....	lead person: additional photography/Los Angeles
Will Jackson	....	production designer: additional photography/Los Angeles
Della Johnston	....	buyer (as Della Mae Johnston)
Willis Karsgaard	....	construction foreman
Jason B. Landels	....	assistant props master (as Jason Landels)
Hayley Mills-Lot	....	props buyer (as Hayley Mills-Lott)
Maggie Russell	....	paint laborer
Tonya Soules	....	set director
Aileen Sovronsky	....	assistant props: Boston
Kevin Stephens	....	lead carpenter
Tony Tarquini	....	art department assistant: UK
Tony Tarquini	....	stand-by: UK
Mike Tavanni	....	leadman: Boston
Betty Vaughan-Richards	....	assistant art director: UK (as Betty Vaughan Richards)
Betty Vaughan-Richards	....	set decorator: UK (as Betty Vaughan Richards)
Kevin E. Vermeersch	....	property master: Boston (as Kevin Vermeesch)
Trinita Waller	....	props master
Mat Winterton	....	sign fabricator

Sound Department
Steven J. Altieri	....	cassettes and dubs: Sound Services, Inc. (as Steve Altieri)
Josh Bower	....	boom: additional photography/Los Angeles
Fred Burnham	....	sound mixer: Boston
Hugo Ekornes	....	foley recordist
Hugo Ekornes	....	sound effects editor
Steve Fish	....	boom operator: UK
Petter Fladeby	....	sound re-recording mixer
Baard H. Ingebretsen	....	dialogue editor
Martin Lacroix	....	boom (as Marty Lacroix)
Vicki McIsaac	....	sound scheduler: ADR
Randall Meyers	....	sound designer
Steven Morrow	....	sound mixer: additional photography/Los Angeles (as Steve Morrow)
John Nord	....	cassettes and dubs: Sound Services, Inc.
Christopher O'Donnell	....	boom: Boston (as Chris O'Donnell)
Tormod Ringnes	....	dialogue editor (as Tormond Ringnes)
John Taylor	....	sound mixer: UK
Gisle Tveito	....	technical supervisor
William Unrau	....	cable (as Will Unrau)
Tor Anders Voldsund	....	dialogue editor
Erik S. Watland	....	foley artist
Erik S. Watland	....	sound effects editor
Michael T. Williamson	....	sound recordist (as Michael Williamson)
Mark Kenna	....	sound consultant: Dolby (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Gord Davis	....	special effects coordinator
William 'Billy Jack' Jakielaszek	....	special effects supervisor
Brian Ricci	....	special effects: Boston

Visual Effects by
Keith Allan	....	opticals: Title House Digital
Mark Allan	....	opticals: Title House Digital
Ridge Blackwell	....	opticals: Title House Digital
Halvor Bodin	....	opening title designer: Virtual Garden
Brian Fortenberry	....	optical line-up: Title House Digital
Carlos Omar Guerra	....	photography: title sequence (as Carlos Guerra)

Stunts
Lauro Chartrand	....	stunts
Marny Eng	....	stunt double: Christina Ricci
Corry Glass	....	stunt double: Ms. Lange (as Corey Glass)
Jacob Rupp	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Douglas Curran	....	stills (as Doug Curran)
Phil Darrell	....	gaffer: Boston
Sean Davis	....	best boy
Herb DeWaal	....	rigging grip (as Herb Dewaal)
John Diamond	....	electrician: UK
Thomas Doran	....	key grip: Boston (as Tommy Doran)
Steven J. Eliopoulos	....	first assistant camera: Boston (as Steven Eliopoulos)
Eric Engler	....	generator operator
Colin Field	....	gaffer: UK
Jamie Fitzpatrick	....	second assistant camera: Boston
Keith Flanagan	....	grip (as Keith Flannagan)
William L. Flanagan	....	best boy grip: Boston (as Bill Flanagan)
John Fletcher	....	focus puller: UK
Michael Ginsburg	....	still photographer: USA
Carlos Omar Guerra	....	director of photography: second unit/New York (as Carlos Guerra)
Robin Hall	....	lamp operator
Grant Hamakawa	....	best boy grip
Gretchen Hatz	....	camera loader: additional photography
Christian J. Hollyer	....	loader: Boston (as Christian Hollyer)
Susan Jacobson	....	clapper loader: UK
Kurt Jones	....	Steadicam operator: additional photography/Los Angeles
Tom Kaczmarski	....	key grip
William Kassis	....	gaffer (as Bill Kassis)
Carol Macdonald	....	second assistant camera (as Carol MacDonald)
Álex Martínez	....	second assistant camera
Adrian McCarthy	....	key grip: UK
W. James Meagher	....	camera trainee (as James Meagher)
Symon Mink	....	first assistant camera: second unit/New York
James R. Mitchell	....	best boy electric: Boston (as Jim Mitchell)
Peter Mohr	....	lamp operator
Jonathan Nixon	....	additional photographer
Charlie Panayi	....	electrician: UK
Larry Portmann	....	first assistant camera (as Larry Portman)
Paul Postal	....	gaffer: additional photography/Los Angeles
Dave Riopel	....	dolly grip
Ian Roscorla	....	lead grip (as Ina Roscorla)
Patrick Ruth	....	electrician: Boston
Phil Stevens	....	electrician: UK
Jase Tanner	....	generator operator
Robert Tompkins	....	dolly grip: Boston (as Bobby Tompkins)
Jim Van Dijk	....	camera operator
Jim Van Dijk	....	camera operator: Boston
Joe Waistell	....	additional first assistant camera
Randy A. Jablonka	....	lighting technician (uncredited)
Jim Van Dijk	....	Steadicam operator (uncredited)

Casting Department
Stephanie Boeke	....	extras casting
Susan Taylor Brouse	....	co-casting director: Canada (as Sue Brouse)
Lynne Carrow	....	casting director: Canada
Felicia Fasano	....	additional casting: Los Angeles
Cheri Gaynor	....	casting assistant: Vancouver
Jason Scott Kavner	....	casting associate (as Jason Kavner)
Freddy Luis	....	casting associate
Alex Newman	....	casting associate

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Frank Avanzo	....	second assistant wardrobe: Boston
Hillary Derby	....	third assistant wardrobe: Boston
Shane Deschamps	....	wardrobe supervisor
Anne Lavender-Jones	....	costume assistant: UK
Maria Livingstone	....	assistant costume designer
Clare McLaren	....	truck costumer
Bega Metzner	....	assistant costume designer
Bega Metzner	....	costume designer: Boston
Vanessa Munro	....	costume supervisor: UK
Bill Murphy	....	assistant wardrobe: additional photography/Los Angeles
Joanna Murphy	....	wardrobe: additional photography/Los Angeles
Deborah Newhall	....	key costumer: Boston

Editorial Department
Marie Hélène Desbiens	....	negative cutter: Magic Film & Video (as Marie-Helene Desbiens)
Saul Escobedo	....	film timer
Jordan Kessler	....	post-production coordinator
Brian Kibbie	....	negative cutter: Magic Film & Video
Vicki McIsaac	....	post-production assistant
Sigrund Norderval	....	associate editor (as Sigrun Norderval)
Yoon Sin Park	....	negative cutter: Magic Film & Video
Joe Plenys	....	assistant editor (as Joe Plennys)
Tom Scully	....	assistant editor (as Thomas Scully)
Jim Towne	....	assistant editor
Yon Van Kline	....	associate editor (as Yon Von Kline)

Music Department
Hugo Ekornes	....	music editor
Ashley Miller	....	music consultant
Joe Rangel	....	music coordinator
Randy Spendlove	....	executive in charge of music

Transportation Department
Bobby Anderson	....	period car coordinator: extras background, Boston (as Bob Anderson)
Corey Askins	....	transportation: additional photography/Los Angeles
Jon Campbell	....	insert car driver: Boston
Peter Franta	....	driver: cast
Len Furssedonn	....	driver: Ms. Lange, UK
Michael Hindle	....	driver: Boston
Bill Janssen	....	transportation coordinator
Phil Knight	....	driver: Ms. Ricci, UK
Ron Lacroix	....	transportation co-captain
Bob Lee	....	driver: construction
Robert Martini	....	transportation coordinator: Boston
M. Walter Moroz	....	transportation captain (as Walter Moroz)
Bindy Sangha	....	driver: set decorator
Ronald J. Tartaglia Jr.	....	driver: Boston (as Ronnie Tartaglia)

Other crew
Lisa Ades	....	research
Tsila Adler	....	post-production accountant
Keith Allan	....	titles: Title House Digital
Mark Allan	....	titles: Title House Digital
Jill Antal	....	accountant
Jill Antal	....	payroll
Steven Bakewell	....	runner: UK
Andrew Barron	....	craft service
Andrew Barron	....	first aid
Brunella Battista	....	stand-in: Ms. Ricci
Ridge Blackwell	....	titles: Title House Digital
Halvor Bodin	....	typographer: Virtual Garden
Timothy R. Boyce Jr.	....	key set production assistant: Boston
Donald Bruce	....	production controller
Adria Budd	....	assistant to producers
Blake Busby	....	typesetter: Title House Digital
Karen M. Cockrell	....	post-production accounting manager (as Karen Cockrell)
Keith E. Cooper	....	legal
Dixie Cutler	....	publicist
Mitch Devon	....	safety
Diana Dill	....	script supervisor: UK
Anna Dobkin	....	assistant locations: Boston (as Anna Jane Dobkin)
Mary Donovan	....	production secretary: Boston
Dave Duce	....	production coordinator: additional photography/Los Angeles
Steve Duke	....	chef (as Steven Duke)
Susie Dunne	....	runner: UK
Brian Enright	....	production assistant: second unit/New York
Elton Farla	....	unit nurse: UK
Glenn D. Feig	....	legal: Barab, Kline & Coate, LLP
Sarah Felder	....	dialect coach
Steven Forster	....	assistant chef
Jason E. Frankel	....	legal: Barab, Kline & Coate, LLP
Linda Gregory	....	accountant: UK
Debra Grossman	....	assistant to director
Thomas Hanna	....	location manager: second unit/New York
Andrew Hardwick	....	production assistant: UK
Kimberly P. Harmon	....	post-production accountant
Bonnie Hay	....	stand-in: Ms. Williams
Steve Hoare	....	set production assistant: Boston
Lori Hornung	....	production coordinator: Boston
Josh Jacobs	....	production assistant: second unit/New York
Dylan Jenkinson	....	production assistant (as Dylan Jenkison)
Julie Landholt	....	typesetter: Title House Digital
Christi Lester	....	production coordinator: additional photography/Los Angeles
Matthew Macdonald	....	production assistant: second unit/New York (as Matthew MacDonald)
Jeff N. Maclean	....	location manager: Boston (as Jeff MacLean)
Sheenah Main	....	production coordinator
Scott Masterson	....	set production assistant: Boston
Nico Millican	....	production assistant: additional photography/Los Angeles
Travis Mitchell	....	accountant
Keli Moore	....	trainee assistant locations
Sheri Neimor	....	accounting clerk
Buckley Norris	....	insurance services: AON/Albert G. Ruben
Ann Pankonin	....	craft service: Boston
Lisa Parker	....	production coordinator: UK
Anil Patadé	....	first assistant accountant (as Anil Patade)
Julia Reid	....	extras wrangler
Ritch Renaud	....	location manager (as Ritch Rinaud)
Matthew Rimmer	....	production assistant: additional photography/Los Angeles (as Matt Rimmer)
Brian Robel	....	assistant locations: Boston
Rodney Rodriguez	....	production assistant: second unit/New York
Liz Schaeffer	....	assistant: Ms. Ricci
Paul Simson	....	first assistant coordinator
David Sitzman	....	contracts administrator
Luis A. Soria	....	corporate controller
Dinean Stayk	....	assistant location manager
Susan Stefanyshyn	....	production accountant
Graham Tait	....	security co-captain (as Graeme Tait)
Marianne O. Ulrichsen	....	technical consultant
Helga Ungurait	....	script supervisor
Helga Ungurait	....	script supervisor: Boston
Matthew Warren	....	completion guarantee: Film Finances, Inc. (as Matt Warren)
Brad Weiss	....	accountant (as Bradley Weiss)
W. Scott Weston	....	production assistant
Judith Windsor	....	dialogue coach: UK
Larry Woodhouse	....	security captain
Larry Woodhouse	....	security coordinator
Jennifer Worrell	....	typesetter: Title House Digital

Thanks
Richard Bishop	....	thanks
Rick Emington	....	thanks
Thomas Gunnerud	....	thanks: Norsk Filmstudio A/S
Ashley Miller	....	thanks
Ray Price	....	thanks
Tom Remlov	....	thanks: Norsk Film A/S
Finn Skaarderud	....	thanks (as Finn Skårderud)
Elizabeth Wurtzel	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Miramax Films (presents)
• Millennium Films (in association with)
• Cinerenta Medienbeteiligungs KG (in association with) (as Cinerenta)
• Giv'en Films (producer) (as Given Films)
• Cinenation (as CineNation Internationale Filmproduktionsgesellschaft mbH & Co. 1 Beteiligungs KG)
• Prozac Nation Productions Inc.

Distributors

• Prozac Nation Productions Inc. (2001-) (worldwide) (all media)
• Art Port (2003) (Japan) (theatrical)
• CP Classics (200?) (Russia) (theatrical)
• Miramax Films (200?) (UK) (theatrical)
• Miramax Films (200?) (USA) (theatrical)
• Miramax (200?) (Italy) (theatrical)
• RTL Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (TV) (RTL8)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2005) (Canada) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Title House Digital (opticals)

Other Companies

• AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  insurance services provided by (as AON/Albert G. Ruben)
• American Humane Society  thanks to (as Humane Society)
• Amtrak  thanks to (as Amtrack)
• Anderson & Son Catering  caterer: Boston (as Anderson's Catering)
• Axium Entertainment Group  payroll services (as Axiom Entertainment)
• Barab, Kline & Coate  legal
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera dollies
• Chimneypot, The  dialogue editing (as The Chimney Pot Oslo A/S)
• Edgeworx  editing suite (as Edgeworx Bouquet Multimedia)
• Electric Picture Solutions  editing suite
• Film Finance  completion guarantee provided by (as Film Finances, Inc.)
• Harry Metcalf Construction  construction: UK
• Magic Film and Video Works  negative cutter (as Magic Film & Video)
• Manifesto Films  production services: second unit (as Manifesto Films, NY)
• Mondo Catering  catering
• Norsk Film  thanks to (as Norsk Film A/S)
• Norsk Filmstudio  audio post-production facility (as Norsk Filmstudio A/S)
• Norsk Filmstudio  thanks to (as Norsk Filmstudio A/S)
• Renegade Films  production services: UK
• Sound Services  cassettes and dubs
• Tighe/Doyle Casting  extras casting: Boston
• Title House Digital  titles
• Virtual Garden  opening title design and typography (as Virtual Garden, Oslo)

Also Known As:

Prozac Nation - Mein Leben mit der Psychopille (Germany) (DVD title)
Prozac Nation - Sex, Pillen und Lou Reed (Germany) (TV title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language, drug content, sexuality/nudity and some disturbing images.

Runtime:

95 min | Canada:99 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

Germany | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Canada:14A (Canadian Home Video rating) | Netherlands:12 | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | Finland:K-15 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:11 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Company:

Miramax Films

Trivia:

Jessica Lange was mentioned in the "Prozac Nation" book.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Lizzie's Dad takes a photo, camera is in horizontal position. When Lizzie finds the photo, it seems like it was taken by vertically-oriented camera.

Quotes:

Elizabeth: Hemingway has his classic moment in "The Sun Also Rises" when someone asks Mike Campbell how he went bankrupt. All he can say is, "Gradually, then suddenly." That's how depression hits. You wake up one morning, afraid that you're gonna live.

Movie Connections:

References The Last Waltz (1978)

Soundtrack:

Ivory Tower

A girl suffers from debilitating depression at Harvard.

I thought that the main problem with Prozac Nation was that it just seemed to lack focus. The movie obviously compressed a lot of details in the book, but I think if it had just focused on the main crisis of the book, the character's descent into depression would have been easier to understand and empathize. As it was, it tried to do that, but it also tried to cram in other things, and I feel that if I hadn't read the book or gone through something similar myself, I would not have understood why Lizzie was so afflicted at this particular point in her life.

I thought the acting was excellent: Michelle Williams and Jason Biggs were great, and Christina Ricci was phenomenal, capturing the entire range of the pain and anger and self-loathing of depression. I thought Jessica Lange put in a good performance, although her bizarre accent and the fact that she in no way resembles the darker and petite Christina Ricci was really distracting. I was simply unable to believe she was her mother, and certainly not a Jewish mother.

If you're a fan of one or more of the actors, I would watch the movie for the sake of appreciating their skill. Or, if you've suffered from severe depression, then watch it and know that there are other people who feel the same way you do and think the same thoughts as you, and who would understand why you feel and act the way you do. Otherwise, skip it. If you don't understand depression before going into the film, it is unlikely that this it will shed any light on the topic for you. It's pretty much impossible to understand unless you've been there yourself.