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Reel Therapy

Unraveling the mind through film.

by Jeremy Clyman

Jeremy Clyman is pursuing his doctorate in clinical psychology at Yeshiva University. See full bio

August 6, 2009

Empathy Gone Awry: Part II

The second step in this two-part empathy process is what makes tragedies tragic.

Between Tom and Summer the empathy switch is slammed off. Neither one can read the other with any reliability. Readability is part of it. Summer plays things close to the chest. But it's mainly an issue of interpretative frame. Tom's general filter is biased. From day one he is convinced "she is the one," despite her straightforward stance that love is a fantasy and that Tom is just a friend. This premise of irreconcilable differences causes a cascade of misunderstanding and misinterpretation that, in turn, cause discord and discontent. Read More

August 5, 2009

Empathy Gone Awry In Unique Romance Comedy

"500 Days of Summer" is one of those stories that's supposed to be a love story but isn't. And although we are warned about this up front, we come to hope that it really is, forget that it isn't, and then get mad that it should be. Finally, we embrace what it is - a romantic comedy that is not particularly romantic or funny, but is instead a rare cinematic gem that is highly honest, emotional and entertaining. Read More

July 31, 2009

More on Emotional Intelligence and Bombs

My latest post, a discussion and review of "The Hurt Locker" spotlighted emotional intelligence, specifically the psychological ability to mind-read others known as empathy and its deceivingly high importance in successful foxhole behavior. Coincidently, this week's NY Times health section features an article that reiterates and expands upon much of what I wrote. Read More

July 22, 2009

The Hurt Locker: Battlefield IQ

Much of "The Hurt Locker" plays like a war drama on steroids. In this roller coaster of testosterone, the primary theme is, "War is an addiction." Naturally, James, the protagonist and expert bomb disposer, is the addict. His brain only experiences calm when the world around him is exploding; he seems happiest when beginning that long, lonely march toward half-buried bombs. Such a risky world attitude often proves worrisome to those who value such societal norms as safety and order. On countless occasions those around James tag him as reckless and impulsive, inciting nicknames that range from the self-explanatory "Wildman" to the poetically understated "stupid piece of white trash." Judging by national reviews the media largely concurs with this personality assessment. Read More

July 18, 2009

Food Inc.: The Psychological Weapons of Protest

Food Inc. is a case in point of powerful activism. Its mission is to crystallize two things about food in America: a. what we eat is disturbingly unsafe b. the system in charge of what we eat is disturbingly corrupt. There is anecdotal evidence and statistics. Read More

July 14, 2009

Adult Animation: The New Image of "Old"

The traditional or Old School view of the elderly is not a pretty picture. Free associate to the words, "Old" or "grandparent" and you are likely to activate the following images. First, there are the senior moments: trembling hands obliviously unwrapping hard candies with barely the motor skills to complete the task; a conversation that starts as a conversation but ends in bewildered silence, as names and dates are chronologically twisted beyond all hope and recognition. Read More

July 12, 2009

Public Enemies: Where is the "Heat?"

"Public Enemies" should be a great movie. It depicts an American icon and follows a classic and beloved cop-and-robber formula. It stars two chameleons disguised as humans, Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, and we get to watch these leading actors of their generation play with guns. Read More

July 1, 2009

Denzel and Travolta: Bromance where you least expect it

"The Taking of Pelham 123" is your run of the mill action-packed, summer blockbuster. There are bullets, body counts, witty one-liners and, most significantly, a cat and a mouse. The cat is a bad guy played by John Travolta. He hijacks a NYC subway. The mouse is a good guy played by Denzel Washington. He is a civil service employee in the wrong place at the wrong time. Read More

June 22, 2009

Inside the Therapy TV Show You Need to Watch

For the past two seasons, a hit drama on HBO has been gathering steam. All the signs of a tipping point are present, as the show is being talked about everywhere, from the grocery store to online listservs to academic conferences. The show is, of course, In Treatment, a seven-week long drama that is giving therapy a miraculous facelift. In Treatment takes place almost exclusively in the therapy session between Paul, the psychologist, and his four patients and supervisor. Such an honest and sophisticated portrait of one of the most challenging and strange professions has piqued the interest of an avid and proliferating following. Read More

June 5, 2009

The Brothers Bloom: Will the real con-artist please stand up?

Throughout cinematic history the con-artist genre has owned a richly entertaining history, in which colorful and carefree men of the street outfox unlikable rich people in Robin Hood-esque capers. These clever protagonists possess an idealized sense of certainty and competence, never stumbling and always one step ahead. Read More

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