User reviews

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.

"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)

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.

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.

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)

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).

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

Well, it probably didn't help that I watched this movie after "Taxi Driver". As a depiction of depression, it's a mildly interesting movie. Jessica Lange shines as the tortured mother. As a glimpse of the 1980s, it's a so-so affair; the music is there but nothing stands out as especially evocative of the era. My biggest problem with "Prozac Nation," though, is Christina Ricci's acting. Clichéd, forced, unconvincing, and too topical. I never felt the grittiness and despair of the character's life; instead, it seemed like a little Hollywood girl with some clout trying to make an arty film. I never felt, "Wow, her life is hell!" but instead, "Wow, Christina's really pretending to be someone who's life is hell." That's not praise. It's not an awful movie, at all, but it's just not that compelling or forceful.

for me,Prozac Nation was just blah.it didn't engage me on any level.i didn't care about the main character,or any of the characters,for that matter.i just didn't see the point of it.usually after watching a movie,i come to this site soon after and put in my two cents.this time i couldn't really be bothered until now,almost two weeks later.anyway,suffice to say,i didn't get anything out of the movie.basically i lost ninety five +/- minutes i'll never get back,in which i could have been doing something else more productive.if you do end up watching this movie and mange to get to the halfway point,and decide to watch to the end,(like i did)thinking it will get better,trust me,it won't.but that's just my opinion.for me,Prozac Nation is a 4/10

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.

This movie was made back in 2000 but wasn't released until 2005 on video and it's easy to see why. It starts out with Christina Ricci living with her mom, played by Jessica Lange, in New York and she is about to go to Harvard. Ricci has doubts about going but goes anyway and her roommate turns out to be Michelle Williams. Ricci wants to be a music journalist and she quickly gets involved in drug use. Ricci gets hooked on a lot of drugs and her friends get her to see a shrink, played Anne Heche. Ricci gets a boyfriend, played by Jason Biggs, and her life just seems to get worse. The movie just isn't very interesting and you would of been better if they had never released it in the first place. Another thing is that they are at Harvard but you never see her do any work but write a music review.

I seldom see a film with such a cast, such a potentially strong story and based on a bestselling book that has been this weak and to some extent unwatchable...

The premise of a story reads like a Brent Easton Ellis novel - a lot of drugs, hopelessness and self-induced tragedy as a young Elisabeth Wurtzel (played by Christina Ricci) tries to cope with being a suicidal loser, that can't seem to accept that she is actually living a good life and that basically she is pathetic for being such a baby...

Christina Ricci is not only playing a tragic personae, but also a tragic actor, whose sobbing and screeching for the most part of the movie actually make you want to shout - kill yourself already and let us get to the credits rolling... The director is of no help as he supplies absolutely no pace and the story feels so disjointed you have no idea what this damn girl is actually on about. The director apparently was on Prozac when directing this imitation of a movie and hence let the movie go on autopilot making it an unbearable mess.

The only redeeming features are a sympathetic Jason Biggs, as Wurtzel's boyfriend (who thankfully decided to dump the self-indulgent egocentric egomaniac) and an unbelievably good Jessica Lange as the cry-babies mother. Lange apparently can not be brought down by terrible script, directing and dire co-actors. Pure class.

I don't know if this is really who Wurtzel is or was, but the film has successfully made me totally uninterested in her writings.

In the end I finished watching this movie and instantly started to think: OK. Time to watch something, that actually is about REAL problems...