On S List of Movie Reviews
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Strange Voices (1987)
Rate:
8
Viewed:
5/15, 4/22
5/15:
Films about real life problems always make for good cinema, and Strange Voices easily accomplishes it.
Although I have no idea who Nancy McKeon is, it's obvious from the get-go she has the face of a TV star, appearing
in a sitcom entitled The Facts of Life (never heard of it, either) from 1980 to 1988. It's easy to say her
character looks so pretty that how it can be she has schizophrenia. But really, the mental disorder can affect anyone,
regardless of their appearance, socioeconomic status, or intelligence.
Strange Voices paints a sad tale of a young college student struggling with the onset symptoms of schizophrenia
while coping with the demands of her life. What I love is how her parents, no matter how hard they try, are eternally
frustrated, too. It's true which is an issue that's not often touched.
Also, the interesting part is the moments that set off Nikki's emotional outbursts. Many times, they're identifiable
and serve as reasons why she needs to be in an environment with the least possible number of triggers. People who struggle
with schizophrenia are trapped in a vicious cycle that eventually leads to life in the penal system because it's
something that society doesn't want to deal with. That's why it costs so much money for those who are directly affected
and want to treat the problem so badly.
The good news is that medication has come a long way as the most effective means of treating the disorder. That's why it,
especially the side effects, gets a lot of attention in the movie. When patients with schizophrenia don't keep up with
their medication, no matter how fine they seem to be, they start to unravel before reverting to their former
schizophrenic self.
Equally frustrating is getting help for their loved ones with schizophrenia. As shown in the mediation process, Nikki's
parents have tried to get her committed for evaluation and care but are restrained because of her daughter's legal rights.
It happens a lot in real life. A consquence of this is something similar to Nikki wandering through the streets and
eating trash. People with schizophrenia who have money and connections tend to thrive well because they're surrounded by
caring people. But the outcomes aren't good for those who have neither. Again, medication is the biggest key along with
psychiatric help.
All in all, I'm pleased with Strange Voices for hitting many points about schizophrenia, and I
don't think the issues have changed that much to this day.
4/22:
Strange Voices is an impressive movie about schizophrenia and hits a major point: fighting between parents.
The father simply shut down while his wife is doing all as she can. The stress level is a '10'. I can't help but wonder
if they kept it down, Nikki might not have too many trigger points before falling apart. Her sister is clearly affected by
all of this.
I know a lot of people will say Promise with James Garner and James Woods is superior
to Strange Voices, but both are completely different movies that deal with the same mental disorder. Just call
them complements, if you will. No cure currently exists for schizophrenia, but the symptoms can be managed through
antipsychotic drugs.
All in all, Strange Voices is a well-made telefilm with strong acting from Valerie Harper and Stephen Macht.