This weekend sees the release of Shutter Island at cinemas across the United Kingdom. Martin Scorsese’s latest sees a US Marshall (Leo DiCaprio) sent to the titular island, home to an asylum for the criminally insane to investigate the disappearance of one of the inmates. To celebrate we’re casting an eye back over the best films set in, or featuring mental institutions.
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest – Let’s kick off with the most obvious of choices, Milos Forman’s tale of R.P. McMurphy. Not only is it one of only three films to win ‘the big five’ (Picture, Actor, Actress, Director, Screenplay) awards at the Oscars but is considered one of the greatest films in Hollywood history and features one of Hollywood’s greatest ever actors’ greatest ever performance. Famously Kirk Douglas was set to play the character until his son, Michael, decided he was too old causing a major family rift. The film is set primarily in the mental institution McMurphy is transferred to in search of an easy ride, but, of course, it ends up being far from that. As funny as it is moving, Forman’s film is one that, if you haven’t seen, you should as soon as possible (preferably after you’ve finished reading this article).
Requiem for a Dream – Darren Aronofsky’s brutal film unflinshingly examines the concept of addiction, with Ellen Burstyn’s character finding herself in an institution in the final act after becoming dependent on weight-loss pills and sedatives. The other character’s, played by Jennifer Connelly, Jared Leto and Marlon Wayans, have similarly grim endings – including the infamous ‘ass to ass scene’. It was Burstyn though who picked up an Oscar nomination for her role, whilst Aronofsky confirmed himself as a filmmaker to be reckoned with.
Girl, Interrupted – Although most widely remembered for the A-list calling card performance from Angelina Jolie, that’s just one of many great aspects of James Mangold’s film. There’s a fine line to be tread between sickly-cute schmaltz and engagingly emotional drama, Girl, Interrupted manages to stay just the right side of that line, largely thanks to a vivacious cast who are given the room to craft characters you can invest in. Jolie found her way back into an institution for Clint Eastwood’s Changeling more recently, a film that didn’t quite make this short list.
Twelve Monkeys – Terry Gilliam is awesome. Fact. In one of his most commercially successful films starring Brad Pitt and Bruce Willis, Gilliam managed to craft an intricate time-travel story around his stunning visual style that demands repeat viewings. The scenes in the institution, during Cole’s (Willis) first trip back in time, set the tone early on and showcase Brad Pitt at his very best. The script comes from the scribes of Blade Runner so one expects excellence, Twelve Monkeys delivers on every level. Just writing this I’ve convinced myself that another viewing is required sharpish.
Terminator 2: Judgement Day – We are reintroduced to a hardened Sarah Connor during her escape attempt from the asylum she has been incarcerated in following the events of the first film. It’s in this amazing sequence that we see Sarah Connor reintroduced to a reprogrammed Arnie and Robert Patrick’s chilling T-1000 launch one of his most devastating attacks on mother and child. T2 was, for my money, the pinnacle of Cameron’s career. Forget your 9-ft blue cat-like people, this has a guy made from liquid-metal. What more could you ask for?
