VERONIKA DECIDES TO DIE

US, 2009, 103 minutes, Colour.
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jonathan Tucker, David Thewlis, Melissa Leo, Erika Christensen, Rena Owen, Barbara Sukowa.
Directed by Emily Young.

Veronika decides to die is based on the novel by Brazilian author Paul Coelho. It has been adapted for a New York setting, the world of the bright young woman who finds her life empty, her job unsatisfying, contemplating and attempting suicide. She is played quite effectively by Sarah Michelle Gellar (better known for her Buffy role).

The direction is by British director, Emily Young (Last Kiss).

The film has a good supporting cast including Melissa Leo, David Thewlis as a doctor, Erika Christensen as a patient and Jonathan Tucker as the silent young men in the institution who forms a bond with th Veronika which enables her to come to life again.

The film has a lot in common with other movies about mental institutions, psychologists and psychotherapy, the work of doctors and nurses, the range of those in the institution. It also offers some critique of what is taken for granted in psychotherapy. While the film has a pessimistic title, there is some hope in the outcome.

1. The impact of this film? Audiences identifying with the Veronika? Young women identifying with her? Her experiences, suicidal, emptiness of life, recovery, institution, recovering some zest for life?

2. The novel by Paul Coelho? The adaptation? The Brazilian author? The New York setting?

3. The title, tone, grim, psychological aspects, physical? Therapy? Rediscovering life?

4. The New York setting, locations, apartments, workplace, institutions? Musical score?

5. Veronika at the credits, Sarah Michelle Gellar? Veronika’s age, and life story, the resume, pessimism, life, fashion, the clashes, the media, dissatisfaction with life, emptiness, the grounds for suicide, the pills and their effect, waking up to the coma, the hospital, her reaction?

6. The physical limitations after the suicide attempt, the medication and her attitude towards medications and their effect, sharing her room, the behavior of the roommate?

7. The psychiatrist, the interview, watching her? The form and questions? Appointments? In himself, attitudes, career, time, Mari and the effect? Veronika and the discussions? Some affirmation? Curiosity concerning Edward? Talks?

8. Edward, his age, appearance, not talking, a car accident and the trauma, his condition, curious? Attempts of therapy? The bond with Veronika? Beginning to improve, the effect, escape with Veronika, the tour, experience of joy, sexuality, possibilities for a future?

9. Veronika, the issue of death, truth and lies, coping and not coping, the value of being alive, Maureen life, involvement, Mari, the tour, the escape, the experience? Edward, love, sex? Seeing seeming to die? Waking? The Edward effect?

10. Claire, response to Veronika, her joy, her depression?

11. The doctor, Mari, talking, leaving puzzled, on the bench with Mary?

12. The variety of inmates, the conditions, mental institutions, staff, nurses? Treatment?

13. Veronika’s parents, the sketchy characterisation, their relationship with their daughter, their reaction to her suicide attempt, coping?

14. The critique of psychology and its methods, time and therapies, life and hope, involvement?

15. A valid critique of psychological approaches?