MovieChat Forums > Silence of the Heart (1984) Discussion > Very antiquated film . . .

Very antiquated film . . .

posted 16 years ago by peterquincy
4 replies | jump to latest

Back in the '80s, people were all blaming themselves when a family member had a mental illness. These days, we know better. It's an illness just like anything else. The person has to want to seek treatment, want to recover. It's not everyone's fault for not treating the person better, etc. We should not blame ourselves when a loved one commits suicide. He/she has their own demons and it's not for us to assume we can cure him/her by saying "I love you". What an old-fashioned and silly film this is! It's downright patronizing, if you ask me, having lost a family member to suicide. You feel helpless, unable to assist. Talking someone off a cliff doesn't just cure their illness, sheesh. This should come with a disclaimer.

[–] duvallerica 16 years ago

I think its quite natural to feel guilt after someone u love commits suicide?The movie shows the process of that!Maybe people need to hear that they are loved than to be ignored!Maybe they wouldnt commmit suicide after all.!

[–] JoeJack101 16 years ago

Thank you for your post Peter. Very good point!

[–] Owlwise 14 years ago

Actually, a biological mental illness is NOT always to blame for every suicide. Sometimes that may be the case; but just as often, perhaps even more so, it's an emotional problem, and immediate family can play a part in it. Especially if it's a dysfunctional family. Everything in life can't simply be medicated away. The fact that we try to do so can often be a case of treating the symptoms & sweeping the actual problem under the rug. Easier to blame chemistry or misfiring neurons in the suffering victim, than to examine our own lives & see if we're possibly contributing to that suffering.

[–] FridayOnElmStreet 9 years ago

People still do blame themselves though.