MovieChat Forums > Dirty Filthy Love (2004) Discussion > Thumbs down from an OCD sufferer

Thumbs down from an OCD sufferer

posted 18 years ago by kenneglds
8 replies | jump to latest

I hate to say this, but as someone who has obsessive compulsive disorder (but not Tourette's syndrome), I really wasnt too impressed with this. The reason I hate to say it is because I think its heart is in the right place. The reasons I didn't like it are:

1) I thought it was kind of slow and flat. Escepially in it's first half. It Improved somewhat in the second half.

2) As someone who has OCD I really didn't appreciate one of the movie's apparent messages, which was that people with mental illness should stick with other people with mental illness for their romantic interests. If you happen to fall in love with a fellow sufferer, fine; no problem. But I don't appreciate the idea that you should limit yourself to "your own kind"

3) The central character spent most of movie feeling sorry for himself that he was sick, rather then dealing with the mental illness, and its effects.

4) The central character's sudden ephinay at the end that he "had always been like that" and what he had considered just habits had really been his OCD, didn't ring true. Even before I knew what name to put on my OCD, I was very aware there was something wrong with me.

[–] Passport-To-Pimlico 18 years ago

Fair enough comments. But surely it's a good thing that the condition has been tackled at all. It's a start.

"I'm inuspeptic, frasmotic, even compunctious to have caused you such pericumbobulations."

[–] fantacularpansy 18 years ago

---2) As someone who has OCD I really didn't appreciate one of the movie's apparent messages, which was that people with mental illness should stick with other people with mental illness for their romantic interests. If you happen to fall in love with a fellow sufferer, fine; no problem. But I don't appreciate the idea that you should limit yourself to "your own kind" ---

I don't really think it's sending this message (although I will admit to the fact that it wasn't something I was looking for) I think there is a message about being aware that this isn't something that is in any way easy to get a handle on, and that those not afflicted are unaware of how difficult it must be. I don't think it's a cry for separation or discouragement of relationships between people wih mental illness and those without, I think it's a way of saying to somebody, who has absolutely no conception of what having either disorder can be like, that they should try to be indulgent and allow for things to be unconventional. The realtionship between Mark and Charlotte felt more about him needing to be taken care of, not because of his illness but because the other person wants to care for him, and also because of Charlotte's desire to take care of people, she seemed to really want everybody in the group to improve their lives, that I felt was the basis of thier connection, the fact that they both have similar disorders just helped them to understand each other.

[–] kenneglds 18 years ago

>>> I don't think it's sending this message

I disagree. Whether it meant to or not (and like I said, the movie's heart is in the right place), it sent that message.

[–] fantacularpansy 18 years ago

PS I don't have any of the disorders addressed in this film, but I try to keep and open mind, apologies if I've offended.

[–] kenneglds 18 years ago

>>> apologies if I've offended

No offense taken. Just a difference of opionion.

[–] janb43 15 years ago

What can often happen is that people with similar problems/issues can be intentionally or unintentionally 'thrown together' because they relate to one anothers' problems or because theyve suffered from previous negativity from some people who lack the patience, understanding or empathy for someone else's mental health issues. Someone with mental health problems may already have very low self-esteem & will seek out others who will understand, have endless patience and will encourage rather than discourage. The problem is there is still a lot of stigma out there which many are working to stamp out.

[–] barrs6 13 years ago

Perhaps, each journey is different.

[–] Janetb44 11 years ago

Absolutely Barrs6. Its very much how my last 25 or so yrs have panned out. Ive had a lot of the negativity you mention, my ex, friends, family, some of which tried but couldnt handle it, some just didnt 'get' it, some even laughing at my idiosyncrasies, some just downright verbally cruel!! Its all across the board Ive found since working the last few years in the adult mental healthcare system.
Oh yes, the stigma of mental health. So it isnt so much a message that people with similar issues should stick together, its more that statistically the prog makers found on researching that most experience the same probs I have and are so worn and hurt by other people's attitudes they end up seeking out others with similar issues who will support them which isnt always easy as isolation is one of the biggest problems for people with MH issues.
Jan