Prozac Nation (2001) User Reviews

read the book instead

[shoeshoe · 5/10 · 1 August 2005]

I think I should start by stating that I was hungry for this film, the book Prozac Nation, which chronicles Elizabeth Wurtzel's battle with depression, meant so much to me and each delay to the film (and there were many) only served to increase my desire to see it. Then I watched it…. and from the opening scene my heart sank.

But lets get things straight first, it is a good film, probably would never win any awards but there are worse ways to kill a couple of hours. The performances, from a cast that includes Jessica Lange and Anne Heche, are solid (although somewhat unfairly Jason Biggs will always be the guy who humped the pie in my eyes) and in the case of Christina Ricci, who played Wurtzel herself, exceptional, the soundtrack's cool (well it does include The Pretenders, Lou Reed and Bruce Springsteen after all) and if you haven't read the book you'll probably like, maybe even love, it. However therein lies the problem, a film based on an international bestseller is surely aiming itself at a target audience of its readers and for this film that's the very people who are least likely to enjoy it. The film sucks out all the depth that made the book so brilliant and so important to millions, for example, instead of being a emotionally messed up young woman who fears abandonment and uses sex and anger as defence mechanisms, Wurtzel becomes a bitchy, whiny slut who is difficult to relate to or feel sympathy for. Furthermore the time constraints lead the film to focus solely on the Harvard years cutting out the important childhood/teen years and leading to a resolution which occurs far to early making depression seem like a problem which can be solved within a year. However I suppose the biggest problem the film has to overcome is the fact that reading Prozac Nation is a highly personal and private thing, meaning no film will be able to compare to the one the readers have already seen in their heads.

Not quite what I thought it would be; but Ricci's performance is Oscar-worthy !

[moviedude-72 · 6/10 · 30 July 2006]

PLOT: A young woman (Christina Ricci) struggles with depression during her first year at Harvard. Based on Elizabeth Wurtzel's novel.

I saw this film, after reading the excellent book by Elizabeth Wurtzel. I had very high hopes, but unfortunately, they weren't meet in this one. Maybe be I was expecting it to live up to Girl, Interrupted, starring Winona Ryder. But there was just something that didn't quite work in Prozac Nation. Still, there's no denying that Ricci gave everything she had to this project, creating an incendiary performance that's startling in its starkness. She refuses to soften up the tart-tongued, often obnoxious Wurtzel, nor does she comfort the audience with little "Can you believe how nasty I am?" asides the way many actresses do when they're called upon to play unlikable characters.

The movie, though, is perhaps too crystal clear. Ricci and the other actors are very good at establishing exactly what kind of people their characters are and how they will respond in all circumstances. Consequently, there are few surprises. No one can step out of character to lend Lizzie a helping hand. In fact, the movie is practically a commercial for medication over human compassion, which is unfortunate though possibly true in many cases.

Skjoldbjaerg's attempts to visualize Lizzie's moods through speed-ed-up action and fuzzy double images remind you of bad student films of the '70s and '80s, it was awful. Otherwise, he directs with intelligence and is smart enough to realize that with Ricci as his star, the less fuss the better. Cinematographer Erling Thurmann-Andersen goes for somber, dark tones, while editor James Lyons moves things along at a crisp pace.

Overall, I wasn't terribly impressed by this film. Christina Ricci's performance was amazing, and touched me, it pushes the film up about a mile. Maybe you should read the book, then watch the film and decide for yourself, but in comparison between them, I prefer the book. This thin drama is only 98 minutes long, but it moves so slowly, it feels like the cinematic equivalent of reading a book with very small amounts of text, could have been much better with a different director and script. OK, but not what I thought I'd see, it is certainly worth it for Ricci fans though, which is definitely me.

6.1/10

See It If You Liked: Girl, Interrupted, I Never Promised You a Rose Garden, The Basketball Diaries, Thirteen

A misunderstood movie about a misunderstood disease

[=G= · 7/10 · 1 August 2005]

"Prozac Nation" is a case study of clinical depression with Ricci as a Harvard frosh trying to cope with her own identity crisis, poor self esteem, and uncontrollable mood swings; the expectations of an over-compensating divorced mother; the absenteeism of a shallow father; and the sincerity of a love she can't believe is real. The film does a good job of accurately representing the destructive influences of the disease of depression in spite murky flashbacks, a hazy narration by Ricci, and a melodramatic and contrived feel. A showcase for Ricci, who meets the demands of her role, this film's lukewarm reception may have more to do with the lack of understanding of the Jekyll-Hyde nature of the depressed person than a poor presentation of the character. (B)

A girl suffers from debilitating depression at Harvard.

[Owl_of_Insanity · 8 February 2004]

I thought that the main problem with Prozac Nation was that it just seemed to lack focus. The movie obviously compressed a lot of details in the book, but I think if it had just focused on the main crisis of the book, the character's descent into depression would have been easier to understand and empathize. As it was, it tried to do that, but it also tried to cram in other things, and I feel that if I hadn't read the book or gone through something similar myself, I would not have understood why Lizzie was so afflicted at this particular point in her life.

I thought the acting was excellent: Michelle Williams and Jason Biggs were great, and Christina Ricci was phenomenal, capturing the entire range of the pain and anger and self-loathing of depression. I thought Jessica Lange put in a good performance, although her bizarre accent and the fact that she in no way resembles the darker and petite Christina Ricci was really distracting. I was simply unable to believe she was her mother, and certainly not a Jewish mother.

If you're a fan of one or more of the actors, I would watch the movie for the sake of appreciating their skill. Or, if you've suffered from severe depression, then watch it and know that there are other people who feel the same way you do and think the same thoughts as you, and who would understand why you feel and act the way you do. Otherwise, skip it. If you don't understand depression before going into the film, it is unlikely that this it will shed any light on the topic for you. It's pretty much impossible to understand unless you've been there yourself.

great acting and strong adaptation.....

[nikolastzanis · 7/10 · 29 January 2009]

i watched Prozac nation for the first time last night online. i was drawn immediately to the strong narrative by Rici's character. i could relate to her despair especially as a young adult. Thats what depression can do. It distorts reality. The story line is straight forward. So much so that its really the words and Rici's performance that kept me interested. I would recommend watching it. But its not an uplifting movie. But its honest. I would of liked to see some more flashback scenes to better understand the childhood experiences but i think the mothers performance helped in that area. I thought the scene where she first takes the e was well done.

Bio Prozac

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 19 October 2010]

I had no idea this is based on real life. But Christina Ricci is terrific in her role again. Even if she isn't the most likable person and her "better than everybody" persona does do little to make you sympathize with her.

But that's not what the movie is after. It tries to get us into the mindset of this character (person) and it kinda succeeds in doing so. It is a drama and therefor won't really be the movie Ricci fans might seek out to see her in her Eva costume. It's still a testament to her commitment going all that way and only emphasizes the "nakedness" of her character (and vulnerability).

Not an easy movie by a long shot, but who said you wanted an easy movie to watch? (unless you wanted to, but then you shouldn't watch this one)

a "coming of age" feminine scenario

[beregic · 7/10 · 3 October 2008]

1- a clear case of an abusive mother nicely played out and dramatized well.the type of parent(s) where the kid is just a "product" to be "developed" the "right" way...so far so good this part is quiet insightful especially the dinner scene involving daughter , mother and grandmother; a clear case study regarding the "rebel teenager" universal aspect( and the psychology involved). very, very good case study to observe the general root of the problem in wealthy families( and not only), were success is measured in achievement. such people, as this parent(s) have lost touch with reality since generation upon generation have forgot that living is only happening one day at the time regardless of possibilities or/and opportunities.

2- Harvard... thumbs down here; the whole feature approach involves spoiled brats with no sense of responsibility , where everyone is involved in power games of one sort or another( not to mention HARD drugs). a whole lost generation lost in details, full of those ever increasing opportunities that simply confuses the individual's PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT , which in general about the MATURITY. and there is no sense of social responsibility development other then being "politically correct".

3- i liked the father(slowly, since i actually taught of him as VERY "bad" initially as the viewers sees at first only the mother's perspective). no way any man could live with such woman(with kids or without).Jessica Lange is PERFECTLLY cast here and a good actress exactly because she is able to show the mother's flaws in details and very subtle at times)))

4- i found Christina Ricci "flash" in the first scene as a pure commercial attempt in catching the viewers attention and teasing him that there could be more. not appropriate for THIS drama at all. do not get me wrong; she has awesome rack indeed , but that in itself only gives a "sleazzy" feel, at least for a while... regarding Ricci,i am not a fan of her at ALL , but i have to admit that this is her BEST performance so far( and maybe ever who really knows).

Prozac Nation

[stodruza · 3/10 · 11 March 2009]

Congratulations to Christina Ricci for making this movie and putting her mojo behind this important subject and trying to make a great film. Ricci is my favorite actress: She is so gifted, so natural, her reactions are perfect and so is the energy she constantly radiates, which gives credence to the often misapplied term "star."

The film misses its mark for lots of various reasons, but perhaps most notably for the story's seeming unadaptability to the screen in making it a compelling narrative...more on that later. The cast at first glance is excellent, but come to think of it, Jessica Lang as the Jewish mother is too Protestant and not exactly right, Ann Hetch doesn't come close to showing the compassion and dedication of the psychiatrist from the book, and when your making a movie, how can you justify saying no to Anne Heche and Jessica Lange? But the real problems are in the film's construction: first in the failure to elicit any kind of lasting sympathy for the Elizabeth Wurtzle character, and second to say anything meaningful regarding the all too common and horrible situation that this poor girl finds herself in.

Unfortunately do to the flashback construction, Lizzy merely comes off as certainly more affected teenager than most, but not nearly as devastatingly ill as she comes off in the book. This is a major problem. This story had to be told from beginning to end and from the therapist's couch. She is only eight or nine when her depression starts due to devastating social factors, both society and the home, and this is a crucial point in not only eliciting the proper sympathy for her but also of the gravitas of her case. She is so talented, and such a vulnerable and disaffected spirit so early on, that one's heart can't help but reach out to her due to her victimization. This is missed on the film.

Ultimately one has to come to terms with what the film is trying to say: it is a biopic of one severely affected girl, but also it is a film about a nation who can't get its act together; that is very clear in the book but interestingly not in the film where the chosen at Harvard are even more messed up than the average college enrollee. The film finally isn't able to get either of these messages across compellingly, and that's too bad. Is Prozac a good thing or is it a bad thing, or a mixed blessing or a seeming necessity in a country in which so many people can't function without a chemical crutch? These are tough and challenging concepts to work with and the writing does not really attempt to address any of them in a more or less engaging way. The Challenger disaster is an interesting image to symbolize a dysfunctional America, but that doesn't have the effect it's suppose to have due to the crosscutting and insufficient earlier development of controlling themes.

Ricci's performance is tight and heartfelt, and one of the best of her acting career.

Michele Williams is also superb in her role.

Have you ever been depressed?

[Arien_Kartheiser · 8/10 · 18 June 2006]

well if you're one of those rare creatures that would answer with a 'no' then watch this movie you'll understand how hard is get out of a bed when you are depressed, how hard is to find a reason to live and why you just can't explain the way you feel. Cristina Ricci is an amazing actress indeed. portrayed this problem in such an excellent way that gave you the right idea is not a romantic or dramatic, or pathetic point of view at all, just the way it is.

its a simple story with a simple explanation for a complicated issue, the reason why sometimes you can't just look forward a supposed good life, no matter how good you are, how brave you look, or how easy your life looks. there's also issues that actually affect our youngsters this days, and changes during the movies, the Part that Jonathan Rhys Meyers has here is small and looks like non important at all but it is, he's crucial for the whole story to be told, shows the difference between a depression patient and just a messed up kid. An amazing movie made from an Amazing book.

Well performed, very emotional film

[Robert_duder · 7/10 · 8 January 2006]

I'm not an indie fan by any means. I find them almost creepy and usually not my type of movie whatsoever but Prozac Nation sounded interesting enough and it was definitely captivating enough to enjoy. Erik Skjoldbjærg whose only previous work I've seen was his screenplay Insomnia certainly captures the rather unbalanced emotions of a drug addicted, emotionally distraught young girl who could have a very bright future ahead of her. Although I have never read the book written by the lead character Elizabeth Wurtzel you can certainly feel the very real story behind it all. It's just got that feeling to it that could only be non-fiction and everything surrounding the film adaptation hangs onto that reality.

Lead actress Christina Ricci who plays Wurtzel plays a very powerful role. Although she is seasoned at playing the messed up, distraught and disturbed looking young woman she really gives this performance her all. She even outshines Jessica Lange who also does a great job as the overbearing equally emotionally distraught mother. Her character definitely could have used more coverage in the film and was only touched on but then she wasn't the focus and what they did give her she did great at. Ricci is disturbingly accurate in her performance as the drug addicted, socially inept, Wurtzel. Michelle Williams also does a decent job as her on again, off again college best friend. Jason Biggs really impresses as Wurtzel's much more down to earth boyfriend who wants to love her but is driven away by her over bearing, and rather psychotic approach to relationships driven by her torn relationship with her father. The film shows a very real side to what some people get mixed up in, and also show the very real side to an unhealthy relationship ruined by the only role models this girl has ever known.

It's a very real and interesting social study on the effects of a broken home, a mother who relies on her daughter as more of a support system than to be a parent to and her first real taste of freedom that drives her into a world of sex and drugs. We see her at the very bottom and her desperate attempt to climb out of it. I am quite surprised to see that the real Elizabeth Wurtzel did not approve of the film because it's certainly very powerful and for whatever reason it was shelved for such a long time it's sure to be a critical success. It's worth seeing even if you're not a fan of the indie film, it's still captivating and worth watching. Some very powerful performances for sure. Check out Jason Biggs for sure in a role not common to him, he does a great job and shows some real dramatic acting chops. 7/10

Portrait of self centered artist achieving no progress at all

[the_wolf_imdb · 2/10 · 24 March 2011]

Well. There is saying "There is nothing more efficient to break the confidence than Jewish mother". I quite didn't understand that until I have meet some families with Jewish ancestry and very, very pathological relationships between mothers and daughters. Mothers are typically very demanding, cold to daughters but full of self pity and perform emotional scenes to their daughters full of blame and incredibly poisonous mix of love and hate. The daughters feel mix of hate and guilt to mothers, they feel they are not "up to the expected standards". They would like to set themselves free, but they cannot, because they are tied to their family very strongly. Every guy who tried to get between the mother and daughter in this fight felt he lives in hell house. Everyone had to leave this hell house sooner (the boyfriend) or later (the father). This is portrayed very realistically in the movie. The pathology is here and what is worse it propagates from one generation to the next generation. Unfortunately no pill is solution to this sort of pathology. It removes the pain but not the wound itself.

On the other hand the movie fails completely as the description of depression. Depression is not hysterical run to destruction and self destruction as shown in the movie. Depression sucks all the energy from people and leaves them optically calm, until something bad happens (suicide attempt). I know about several suicides of young people, usually "out of the blue", because these people were so depressed that they were not able to communicate their depression and seemed "only tired or ill" to the others. This was very sad because help from psychiatrist could actually save their lives. Not a single case was similar to the movie, usually even parents did not see what was coming, not even their friends.

So, this is not movie about depression and "problem than haunts US". It is movie about inability to reflect herself or to get any insight into her situation (the part about "swallowing the lover" is especially pathological and shows total narcissism and selfish personality). There is no movement to good, no progress, only pills that replace other drugs and alcohol to hide the problem. This is description of utter failure to resolve or achieve anything, she is as damaged at the end as she was in the beginning. The idea that someone could try to find something of use for his life from this movie is actually very frightening. Very, very bad example, please see this as only warning how to NOT proceed on therapy!

It was truly amazing

[doctorsheila · 10/10 · 30 March 2006]

I have never read the book, now I want to. Seeing this movie really touched me. I cried all the way through it. Living in a small northern town in British Columbia, I've always thought I was alone, fighting a battle that could never be won. Watching this movie, was a sigh of relief. It was like she was telling my story. Many stories. Explaining exactly what it feels like, the demons in my head, the spinning, the realistic, the logical point of view, what we know is real, but what we feel is two different things. She has this brought to life, making sense to the rest of the world what is and isn't wrong with us. I see the news, talk with the people around me, and it seems like everyone has been, or knows someone that has been on anti-depressants. They are not, and will be the quick fix, but between therapy, and anti-depressants, it has saved my life. I have heard many comments about how anti-depressants don't work, and that they are just a quick fix. It takes a lot of hard work, and therapy that goes with anti-depressants to make it work. I totally agree in the film where she said it would help her to be able to see things in a different light. This is truly a wonderful, and amazing film and I'm looking forward to reading the book.

Amazing book, not so amazing movie

[Staindmind1338 · 6/10 · 7 July 2005]

Almost three years ago when I picked up this book for the first time I had know idea what it would come to mean to me. Though the statistics are clear for depression even in the United States alone, I felt isolated and alone. This was my story, my inspiration, my clarity, and my reference then on. It was written in a way that I would not dream to change a thing. This was her story brutally honest, yet so sincere and clear, and painful. Since then I have wanted to tell her what her writing her story has done for my life, and as I have read many other young and old readers who related the way I did. Now to the movie...I found out there would be a movie soon after I got the book. I looked for it and planned for it, then I found it was being postponed. Today I walked in the video store and there it was. Now I expected to be disappointed because this was a movie based on a great book. I was disappointed. I didn't have to shut it off in the middle or anything, I did make it to the end. The movie could not tell this story point blank. All it was was a summary, the icing of the story inside the book. I recommend the book, but not the movie.

should have been great

[henry_cloud · 2/10 · 6 June 2006]

It seems no matter what I see her in, Christina Ricci seems full of promise but fails to deliver. Sure she can cry and scream, but Prozac Nation sees Ricci totally out of her depth, perhaps I'm being too harsh.... okay, I'm shifting the blame to the director. Jessica Lange is outrageous and almost reaches Faye Dunaway heights of megadramatisation. Unfortunately I think Lange peaked with Frances and it was all downhill from there. There was every chance of this film being slick and witty while tackling depression head on. What we get instead is poorly acted hysteria dressed up with a stereotypical try hard eighties veneer. I really had no sense of the films eighties backdrop, since I was unsatisfied with the lame attempt at making believe it was the eighties just because ms Ricci wears a madonna inspired dress to her "lost my virginity" celebration. Cmon everyone, you are ALL better than this. The filmmakers should hang their heads in shame, and as a result of disappointment, Elizabeth Wurtzel could probably make a bundle if she sued for "irrepairable emotional damages" as a result of the finished product. go on lizzie, sue! I would

Superb acting skills

[Gordon-11 · 3 September 2006]

This film is about a young first year Harvard student's life with depression and personality problems.

Christina Ricci's acting is superb in this film. She plays Lizzie very well, she manages to give a full range of emotional expressions. Most of the time, Lizzie's sad, so Christina Ricci had to pull a sad face most of the time. In addition to sadness, there is also joy, ecstasy, intoxication, rage and jealousy. All these emotions are fully and effectively displayed by Ricci.

Jessica Lange acts very well in this film as well. She plays this over-controlling mother with a lot of anger. The scene with her arguing about the medical bills with Christina Ricci is amazing, they both displays brilliant acting skills.

The film is not bad at all, it was a pity that it did not receive a theatrical release.

Depression

[TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews · 7/10 · 23 July 2009]

I haven't read the novel, and I did not know anything about Wurtzel before watching this, though I understand that she was rather unhappy with how this turned out, and I have no doubt that the book is better(it almost always is, not due to that medium being superior, both have positive aspects to them that the other does not, but adaptations between forms of expression face many difficulties). This is not a pleasant film. It is tense throughout, is not terribly "Hollywood"(meaning, mainstream audiences are not going to expect what this holds), and a lot of people are not going to like it. This is fast-paced, and it could perhaps have helped if there were more dwelling. It doesn't really give you a lot of a chance to take it all in, until the about 90 minutes are up. The acting is excellent, Ricci displays her usual incredible talent, Lange does marvelous, and Biggs turns out to be rather solid. There's not a single poor performance in this. The cinematography, editing and direction are effective. While I haven't watched anything else by Skjoldbjærg, I have been interested in doing so, such as Insomnia, since remade for American audiences by Christopher Nolan(and that version, I have seen, and enjoyed immensely). The writing is magnificent, and everything felt completely credible, characters, occurrences, all of it. This has a little nudity, some sex, disturbing material and relatively infrequent strong language. The DVD holds a few cast interviews, the Anatomy of a Scene episode done on this movie, a theatrical trailer and sneak previews. I recommend this to anyone who thinks it is for them, and who are mature enough to handle it. 7/10

Mental illness drama with strong performances

[Avwillfan89 · 7/10 · 24 December 2022]

In this film, Christina Ricci continued her transition into adult films at 19 with this memoir adaptation by Elizabeth Wurtzul by the same name, chronicling her entry into Harvard, the early beginnings of her writing career and her almost immediate descent into depression and her complicated mental illness after taking drugs at a party.

Both Ricci and her Jessica Lange, who plays her overbearing mother, are excellent in this film. The film, however, doesn't go as deep as it should have done when discussing these complicated and important issues. Although many kids who's parents get divorced go on to have OK lives, many others are unable to process it, and can have devastating effects later in life. Which is what happens here with Lizzie.

I absolutely thought Ricci's nude scene was gratuitous and unnecessary. It served no purpose other than to create hype for the teen star's first time being naked on screen.

I guess for the time that it was made, extensively depicting themes like depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal tendencies was a relatively new thing in Hollywood, and it continued on from there with movies like Thirteen and, on the smaller screen, The Sopranos.

The 'United States of Depression'...

[tim-764-291856 · 7/10 · 8 July 2012]

It seems that the only viable way of buying this DVD as a region 2, is via this Dutch release. It seems to load automatically without a menu and so switching off the standard Dutch subtitles requires logistics and (in my case) an advanced DVD model with a 'subtitle' button, which even then, is not the end to the solution. The DVD synopsis is all in Dutch, too, so you'll need an online site such as IMDb to find out more.

That point over - the film: I'd only heard of this - and not via the book. I wanted to see it as I've always admired Christine Ricci and maybe I hoped it would be a contentious and gripping - and possibly turgid - look into the underworld of over prescribing of the world's most famous (& infamous) but far from unique (there ARE other antidepressants available) mental health medication. I was also rather keen to see exactly why this movie is not mainstream, why it's not on sale at my local HMV and only gettable as a specialist online import.

I was hoping - that it wasn't going to be a cliché-ridden sob story that said nothing about either the condition, the drug or the character that Ricci plays. Unfortunately, many well-intentioned movies covering this sort of subject do but I thought I ought to give it a try.

Starting out with Elizabeth's (Ricci) mother, Jessica Lange, getting her daughter prepared for Harvard, where of course, Elizabeth is thrown into the usual round of new friends - and losing her virginity, to dishy Jonathan Rhys Meyer, then Jewish boyfriend Jason Biggs and flashbacks to an absent father. You can see the picture evolving, how the potential problems bubble up and manifest themselves, onto involvement with psychiatrist, Anne Heche. So yes, Prozac Nation is quietly predictable in this respect. There is no need to say more about the plot - you either want to watch it at this point, or not.

I did - and do. Norwegian director Erik Skjoldbjaerg does a fair job, with interesting visual and sound effects to subtly amplify the psychological issues. The opening titles are particularly well done. Ricci herself is very good as are all the main players whilst the dialogue is quite course at times, but believable.

So, Prozac Nation is no trailblazer and might well deserve its specialist status but Ricci extends that beyond the obvious market and is worth seeing. Recommended, with some reservations.

Depressingly bad

[Chromium_five · 1/10 · 1 July 2009]

If you're coming to this film to learn something about depression, forget it: you won't learn anything except how not to write a screenplay on the subject. I understand the intent was to show how severe depression can turn an average person into a complete wreck, but the result is the most one-dimensional character I've ever seen in a Hollywood feature... no small feat. Christina Ricci as Elizabeth spends the entirety of this film screaming at the top of her lungs, viciously insulting someone, bursting into tears or some combination of the three (the only exceptions being some quiet sulking at the beginning and end). There is not the slightest hint of what she might be like WITHOUT depression... not the faintest glimmer of any other aspects of her personality... she just screams. At one point, her roommate tells her, "Lizzie, you're such a fun person to be around when you're not being depressed," and my reaction was, "She IS?" It seemed odd that the writers would include this comment without giving us any examples, but this script is a lesson in incompetence. It has no discernible structure or flow at all; instead, it consists of a series of awkwardly strung-together scenes of Lizzie screaming, then ends. Character development? No... Scenes of her everyday existence, i.e. going to classes, that might possibly be important details? No... Screaming at maximum volume? CHECK. It's not quite enough, I'm afraid. 1/10.

Prozac Nation

[passionpink_20 · 10/10 · 2 January 2006]

I really liked this movie, growing up I was always so confused about the way I felt. The way Wurtzel acts is almost identical to way I would act growing up, and I always felt so alone like no one understands me. After seeing that movie, it brought tears to my eyes. Just the realness of it. I now take Prozsc. But how I picked out the movie, I was in the video store and saw it just stood out to me. I didn't even know what it was about, just something about it made want to watch. I watched it twice, I never watch movies twice. Me being on Prozac actually helps me and I don't feel disoriented or anything. Maybe they have perfected it since the 80's. I was shocked I didn't even know they had ant-depressants then. But in any even its an awesome movie, I think parents should really watch it because I don't think they realize what they are doing to their children.

A very serious look at a depressed young woman

[Vegaschic8 · 6/10 · 2 August 2005]

Of course, after reading the book, I expected a little more from the film, but I was still impressed. This movie takes a serious look at a young woman, Elizabeth Wurtzel (Christina Ricci), on her way to Harvard. It's almost immediately apparent that she has some kind of emotional problems. I think this film depicted the definition of a depressed person very well; self destruction, lashing out at people who care about you, and never wanting to leave your bed, "Afraid that you'll wake up alive". This is not a date film or a chick flick, but a serious movie with some surprising outstanding acting! Christina has finally broken out of the teeny bopper role, Jason Biggs gave a surprising serious performance, and Jessica Lange pulls them all together playing the nervous over bearing mother. The one thing that the movie missed was how Elizabeth did get well after taking the Prozac. This movie really didn't touch on that too much.

My favorite scene in the movie, is the beginning when she's at the Lou Reed concert. I'm a big fan of Lou Reed, and this scene was shot really well.

I would recommend this movie, but at times, I did feel that it dragged a little at times.

The book is always better.

[ledzeppelin82 · 4/10 · 28 February 2002]

Last night I got to see an early preview screener of Prozac Nation. Because I love everything that Christina Ricci does I was very excited at first, but as the movie continued I started to wonder where it was going. Based on a true story, it is simply about Christina Ricci's character and her struggle with depression, drugs, friends and family as you can probably tell from the title. In my opinion this movie moved too fast, and it was way too dramatic. I would say there was a dramatic moment every five minutes, and the movie moved through her life extremely fast, and this left no room for us to connect with Christina Ricci's character. Christina Ricci's performance was fantastic as always but Jessica Lange stood out throughout the whole movie, and I believe this movie's success will be all because of her and Christina Ricci. I would rate this 4 out of 10 and I would suggest you rent this one or read the books by Elizabeth Wurtzel they are good and definitely worth checking out.

Christina Ricci's most gripping performance

[ShadySovereign · 8/10 · 26 January 2006]

I picked up the DVD of "Prozac Nation" at a great low price, and I am pleased to say that this movie was well worth the money. I liked this movie so much that I can't wait to read the book when I find it (the film is based on the novel of the same name).

The movie tells the true story of Elizabeth Wurtzel (played by the beautiful Christina Ricci)and her battle with depression. She gets tired of life and nears suicide. However, she struggles to stay alive throughout her life in the 1980's, when sex and drugs ruled.

Christina Ricci was the best at acting in this film. Her performance was very realistic and true as the depressed Elizabeth. I myself had to combat depression before, so I know the things she was going through, and I know how she feels. She was really trying her best to survive in the movie, and I appreciate the film-makers efforts to show it on the screen. And aside from her character in the film, Christina Ricci herself was beautiful; her gorgeous nude body is shown at the beginning of the movie!

The movie put great effort to give the background scenery an 80's feel, since the book was based in the 1980's. However, I noticed that there were glaring anachronisms (mistakes in the timeline setting of the movie) that distracted me slightly from the story. But still, I got over it and continued watching the movie.

The anachronisms was one of the two things that I didn't like in the movie. The second thing I hated was Elizabeth's mom (played by Jessica Lange); she was a very annoying and clichéd character. Without Jessica Lange's exaggerated performance, the movie would have been nearly perfect.

Aside from those two things, the movie was very good and interesting. I never imagined that there would actually be a true story about depression portrayed in a movie. It was good to see this movie, since it would help spread awareness about depression. It's too bad that the author of the book didn't like the film.

I give this film an 8/10.

not bad

[Rickee · 7/10 · 11 July 2005]

Not a bad movie. Why did Miramax never release it? They have certainly released other movies in the past four years that are a lot worse than this one. Christina Ricci (as Elizabeth Wurtzel) and Michelle Williams (as her roommate) are both great. Ricci manages to make Wurtzel sympathetic, which is more than Wurtzel herself has ever been able to do in her books, all of which are self-absorbed memoirs. Most of the rest of the cast is good too, but there us a curious exception to this: All the male roles, Wurtzel's father and college boyfriends are very badly acted. Also, Ann Hechte was ridiculous as a psychiatrist. She mostly just stares expressionless at Wurtzel.

Was I Watching a Movie on the Lifetime Channel?

[lavatch · 3/10 · 10 May 2005]

I have a question for the writers and producers of "Prozac Nation": What is the root cause and what is the solution to the widespread problem of personal depression in America? In the moving performance of Christina Ricci as Liz Wurtzel, the film portrays a young woman with unlimited potential as a Harvard student and as a writer. But this is not a story of success, only one of self-destruction as we watch Liz bring misery into the lives everyone who comes in contact with her. The film examines divorce, family dysfunction, drugs, alcohol, and prescription medication as possible reasons for Liz's unhappiness. But none of those superficial explanations are satisfactory.

At some point in the film, it would have been helpful to suggest that Liz needs to take responsibility for her life and her problems. No light was shed on what the film alleged to be a runaway problem in "The United States of Depression." In the story, Liz had a caring therapist (Anne Heche), a caring roommate (Michele Williams), a caring boyfriend (Jason Biggs), and a troubled but caring parent (Jessica Lange). In a key scene in the film, Liz is lying in a hospital bed watching the break-up of the space shuttle Challenger. Instead of equating Challenger with Liz's life, the film should have used the image as a starting point for her healing and recovery.

This film reminded me of a generic made-for-cable "victim" film on the Lifetime network. An excellent cast was wasted, especially in the earnest performance of Christina Ricci. The real-life Elizabeth Wurtzel obviously found within herself the resources to cope with her depression and become a successful author. It is unfortunate that the film could not offer us even the slightest glimpse into her courageous spirit.