Call Me Crazy: A Five Film (2013)

Call Me Crazy: A Five Film Poster

A psychotherapist helps a law student cope with schizophrenia in one of five interconnected tales dealing with mental illness.

Overview
"Call Me Crazy: A Five Film" is an anthology of 5 short movies that premiered on Lifetime in 2013. Produced by Jennifer Aniston, Marta Kauffman, and others, the anthology intends to illustrate various facets of mental illness, bringing them to the general public eye by weaving them into relatable stories. Distinguished celebrities including Jennifer Hudson, Octavia Spencer, Brittany Snow, Sarah Hyland, and Melissa Leo are among the ensemble cast. Prominent directors like Laura Dern, Bonnie Hunt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Laura Sánchez, and Sharon Maguire helmed specific shorts.

Storyline
The anthology covers five mental health conditions: bipolar illness, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and postpartum depression. Each short has separate protagonists, varied stories, however share a common thread - the struggle and fight versus mental health concerns.

Lucy
Directed by Bryce Dallas Howard, "Lucy" informs the story of a law trainee detected with schizophrenia. She goes to a restorative drama group, which enables her to handle her condition. Through an empathetic portrayal, Howard humanizes Lucy's frame of mind, applying a significant narrative that raises awareness of schizophrenia.

Grace
"Grace" is directed by Laura Dern and concentrates on a daughter's journey after her mom is identified with bipolar disorder. The story explores the challenges faced by the family members of those impacted by bipolar disorder, showcasing how mental illness is a shared experience.

Allison
"Allison", directed by Sharon Maguire, handles PTSD. A war veteran returns home, however her battle is far from over as she faces the injury that follows her. The short puts a spotlight on the requirement for emotional and mental support for veterans.

Maggie
"Maggie", directed by Ashley Judd, focuses around the struggle of a female comedian combating depression. Her condition leads her to a psychological health center, where she must find out to deal with the disease while browsing her career and individual life.

Eddie
Finally, "Eddie", directed by Laura Sánchez, provides the story of a couple dealing with postpartum depression after the birth of their very first infant. It exposes how this condition can affect relationships, demonstrating the important function that understanding and treatment play in coping.

Impact and Reception
"Call Me Crazy: A Five Film" received an extremely favorable response for its delicate and diverse representation of mental health issues. It not just spotlighted the difficulties dealt with by those suffering from numerous mental disorders, but it likewise highlighted the battles of their loved ones. The anthology brought to light the required discussion about mental health, breaking myths and stigmas associated with it by sharing sincere stories from different perspectives. The reasonable performances of the cast, combined with knowledgeable storytelling by the directors, efficiently brought psychological health conversations to the mainstream, motivating the audience to understand and comprehend these often-misunderstood diseases. It was lauded as a valuable instructional resource about mental disorder, successfully reaching a wide audience.

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