Mid Term Movie Review Over The Past Few Decades

Mid Term Movie Reviewover The Past Few Decades There Have Been More

Over the past few decades, there has been a significant increase in movies that depict the wide field of professionals in the Human Services field and the clients they serve. The purpose of this movie review is to assist students in understanding how to identify the various stages of grief through cinematic portrayal. Students are required to select a film and analyze it based on specific criteria, including the depiction of grief and recovery processes within the narrative.

Paper For Above instruction

The chosen movie for this review is “The Bucket List,” starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. This film masterfully explores themes of mortality, friendship, and the pursuit of meaningful life experiences. It provides a compelling vignette of the grief process, as both main characters confront their terminal diagnoses and reflect on their lives.

Summary of the Movie: “The Bucket List” narrates the story of two men diagnosed with terminal cancer—Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) and Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman). Despite their differing personalities and backgrounds, they bond during their hospital stay as they embark on a journey to fulfill a list of things they want to do before they die. Their adventures take them across various locations, allowing them to confront their fears and regrets, while also celebrating life’s opportunities.

How the Main Characters Deal With Loss: The characters each respond to their diagnoses with a mixture of denial, anger, and eventually acceptance. Edward initially dismisses the gravity of his illness, while Carter mourns the loss of future aspirations and the impact on his family. Over time, both characters confront their mortality, leading them to seek fulfillment and peace as they face the inevitable.

Stages of Grief Demonstrated and Behavioral Reflection: The film depicts multiple stages of grief. Carter exhibits signs of denial and bargaining early in the narrative, as he struggles to accept his situation and seeks to control his destiny by completing the bucket list. Edward, on the other hand, displays anger and frustration but gradually transitions towards acceptance and reconciliation with his past and present. Their behaviors, such as seeking meaningful experiences and making peace with mortality, exemplify authentic reactions to grief.

Transition Through Stages or Remaining in One Stage: Both characters demonstrate progression through different stages. Carter transitions from denial to acceptance by the film’s conclusion, reflecting a shift from despair to embracing life fully. Edward’s journey is marked by a transition from anger and denial towards a serene acceptance of death, underscoring the dynamic nature of grief and recovery.

Strategies Used to Help the Characters Through Grief: The film depicts several coping strategies, including forming meaningful relationships, pursuing fulfilling activities, and confronting fears directly. The duo’s bucket list serves as a therapeutic tool, encouraging them to rediscover joy and purpose, thereby facilitating their emotional transition.

Alternative Strategies That Could Have Been Helpful: Incorporating professional counseling or peer support groups could have further aided the characters in processing their grief. Guided psychotherapy sessions focusing on emotional expression might have expedited their acceptance, while mindfulness and spiritual practices could have provided additional comfort and resilience during their journey.

The portrayal of grief in “The Bucket List” aligns with the five stages outlined by Kubler-Ross, illustrating that individuals may cycle through these stages non-linearly. The film emphasizes the importance of personal meaning in coping with terminal illness, which resonates with clinical observations that there is no “correct” way to grieve.

References

• Kubler-Ross, E. (1969). On Death and Dying. New York: Macmillan.
• Bonanno, G. A. (2009). The difference between proposed mechanisms of resilience. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 4(4), 345–356.
• Worden, J. W. (2009). Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy. Springer Publishing Company.
• Parkes, C. M. (1996). Bereavement and health. Psychology and Health, 11(4), 471–478.
• Neimeyer, R. (2001). Meaning Reconstruction & the Experience of Loss. American Psychological Association.
• Stroebe, M., & Schut, H. (2010). The Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement: A Decade On. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, 61(4), 273-289.
• Shear, M. K. (2015). Complicated grief. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(2), 153-160.
• Lund, D. (2001). The role of support groups in bereavement. Death Studies, 25(3), 259-276.
• Rando, T. A. (1993). Treatment of Complicated Mourning. Champaign, IL: Research Press.
• Thompson, S. R., & Neimeyer, R. A. (Eds.). (2014). Constructing Meaning: Parenting, Grief, and Well-Being. Routledge.