Words on Bathroom Walls

This is a drama about a teenager diagnosed with schizophrenia and his efforts to hide it from a potential girlfriend. No, it is not as maudlin as that sounds, it is very well acted by Charlie Plummer with a good supporting cast including Andy Garcia, Taylor Russell, and Beth Grant. It is fairly realistic portrayal of mental illness and how difficult of a time care givers have dealing with the sufferer. They also show the character being given different drugs that either fail or have terrible side effects. The problem with mental illness is that is so difficult to get measurable results - that is, if your BP is 145/90 and the doctor gives you a pill and is now 120/80 the pill is working. It is not so clear with treating mental illness. And there is a quote (I'm paraphrasing) that really hit home for me: "if I had cancer, people would run to help me but if I have mental illness they would run away". I know from personal experience that this line is very true as a close personal friend suffering from mental illness said something eerily similar. Of course there are "Hollywood" touches and clichés but I recommend that you see it.

The trailer convinced me to watch it but oh my gosh the way they portrayed the illness and the acting of this kid!! Ughh I was bawling my eyes out. I'd seen the mom and the girl from Lost in Space they are great. I didnt know itd get so deep..really opens your eyes to the struggle of people who suffer with these things. But great movie!! Loved it

My daughter and I went on our first trip back to the movie theater yesterday for this movie. We had seen the trailer online and were waiting for the chance to see it on the big screen. We were not disappointed. I loved the character of Adam, who is trying his hardest to keep his sanity. I can't speak to the portrayal of schizophrenia and whether or not it's accurate, but it sure was sobering. The characters felt real and sympathetic, even though there were some cliches that I saw coming from a mile away. Yes, it ties everything up in a nice neat little bow at the end, but that's Hollywood. There was a ton of wisdom in this movie about accepting yourself, flaws and all, as well as accepting other people in the same way. I have to say that I think Andy Garcia was my favorite, although Charlie Plummer is a very close second. Go see it. You won't be sorry.

I never write ratings and not always trust them, because every person has different views and watches movies in different settings, but goddammit this movie was good. If you had been interested in anything related to mental illness or just appreciate good movies and dont mind a little bit of cheesiness this movie is for you.

Never mind cinematography. Never mind budget. Never mind acting. My teenage son with mental illness asked me to watch this, so I did. Afterwards I asked him .."is this you?" and he said yes.

So take this review any way you want. According to a 16 yo with mental illness, it is an accurate portrayal of his every day struggle to fit into this world.