I love movies! That may not seem like a normal opening for a mental health moment, however, it is in the opening credits for this week’s blog. While the title of this blog is inspired by a romantic comedy I like to watch on repeat by the same name, I’d like to talk more about a book. This book is called Cinema Therapy by Birgit Wolz. It examines:
Movies can stimulate emotional reactions
In other words, movies imitate life and the correlation of what life’s mental health presents. If you don’t think movies can have therapeutic benefits, think of your favorite flicks. Think of how the movie made you feel. The way it makes you feel is the main reason you continue to watch it over and over again although you’ve seen it more than 10 or 15 or maybe 20 times. It is not just the characters, or the music, and it is not those couture outfits they wear in each and every scene. Au contraire.
In fact, it is the way the movie makes you feel and the things that you relate to on an emotional and mental level. These moving narratives invite us to be the people we are afraid to be as we live vicariously through each character’s hero journey. The next time you tune in to any film or series, especially ones you love, do these three things to enhance your magic mental movie experience.
1. Character Connect: Ask yourself what it is about the main character or characters that you identify with most. If you do not identify with the main characters, what are the character traits you see in them that you wish you possessed? This can create an indirect insight into your own psyche.
2. Conflict Comparison: Look at the conflict the characters are working to overcome. What is it about this conflict that makes you feel inspired or intrigued? Again, this conversation will lead to introspective conversations about your current feelings about your own life. This could lead to the answers to some of your burning questions about yourself and even some of the emotional challenges you may be currently facing.
3. Correlate Conclusions: Analyze as you watch the final scene of your favorite feature. Is this a happy ending in your opinion? Is this an ending that feels unfinished? Is this an ending that may be the beginning of part two? No matter what the conclusion, take a look at how you feel when it ends. Are you crying, smiling, or sitting in disbelief with your jaw on the floor? All of these closing credit responses can teach you a thing or two about how you might respond or have responded in similar situations. Or it may even give you the courage to act on your innermost desires.
If you’re looking for some mental movie medicine for a manic Monday or a freaky Friday experience, just grab your remote to relax, relate and release.
If you still need a little more post show assistance contact Tanyika Moore Healing Arts for a chat.
By: Tanyika “Tann” Moore, LMFT
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