Movies about Addiction/Recovery - Page 2 - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

Gertiegirl · 05-12-2008, 06:09 PM

"Once were warriors" was filmed in New Zealand, so is definately in English. Amazing depiction of family violence and how children are affected by an alcoholic father. It also shows the mother and how she picks up the peices. Its amazing, don't miss it.

Also if you enjoy reading, and like the occassional "chick lit" as they're known, Try Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes. Amazing story of addiction and recovery.

Rarly Harley · 05-13-2008, 10:10 AM

The absolute best reminder for me is The Unforgiven, by Clint Eastwood. I've watched it many times and it reminds me of what will happen to me, if I choose to pick up a drink, even 18 years into recovery....

lilbit · 05-14-2008, 06:06 AM

Hey Gertie...Watch Smoke Signals...you'll LOVE that one too!

kari69 · 05-16-2008, 03:41 AM

peaceful warrior

lizw · 06-22-2008, 12:17 AM

I live in New Zealand where the film 'Once were warriors' was made. There was also a sequel called 'What becomes of the broken hearted.'

Nearly everyone in NZ knows someone who is part of the kind of family 'One were warriors' portrays. Someone told me that orginally the script (for the film) was written fom the Dad's (Jack Heke) point of view but because he doesn't really change it was a poor script so they scrapped it and rewrote it from the Wife's (Beth Heke) point of view.
I'd like to say that the film changed domestic violence but it didn't.

I REALLY like that film Clean and Sober because it is so crazy and that's what it is like when you first get sober. When I think of the guy driving round trying to figure out what to do, after his bosses daughter is found half dead in his bed, and he's like think, think and then the add for the treatment centre comes on the radio. It's just f**ken brilliant in a lightbulb moment kinda way.

semisane · 06-22-2008, 12:02 PM

Barfly
Traffic
The Rose
Bright Lights Big City

sct · 06-22-2008, 12:35 PM

Not specifically recovery... but I believe that if you look, you can find recovery in anything.

Pursuit of Happyness- has a great message of doing whatever it takes to improve your life, and persevering even when it looks like success is impossible.

Kung Fu Panda - (Yes I know-- bear with me) The central message of this movie, is accepting things you cannot change, and turning your liabilities into assets.

WishIWasNormal · 07-16-2008, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conez

Hi all...

I was just curious if anyone has seen any good movies about alcoholism/addiction and/or Recovery... just looking to find a handful of good flicks to watch that depict any aspect related to this issue. (anything that falls into any term in the recovery glossary thread)

i'm hoping it may give light to some of my related difficulties, as reading stories in the bigbook and going to AA meetings has done.

I'm sure i've seen some movies in the past about some rockstar or family that suffers thru addiction.... and somewhere in there, is a feel good message.

My memory is so poor... i was just hoping the SR community maybe able to offer some helpful movies.

Thanks

p.s, i'm not talkin about movies that embelish drug/alcohol use... ie, how high, half baked, friday, cocktail, etc

It may not be exactly what you are looking for, but the tv documentary Intervention is on two or three times a week with different addictions portrayed in real life. It covers the consequences of eating disorders, gambling, crack, cocaine,heroin and alcohol. It shows sufferers in withdrawal, in jail and mothers in hysterics as they are cuffed and stuffed in the patrol car while their children are removed by child services. It interviews the parents/spouses/siblings etc who are affected by the addict's behavior. It is on A&E usually on Sun. and Mon. evenings, depending on where you live and who your satellite provider is. Every episode is a terrible reminder of where we have been and will be again if we continue to use. You can pull uptheir website A&E Television Network and TV Shows and find out more about it. If you tape some of the episodes, you can create your own "library of sobriety" to turn to in weak moments. God Bless.

kj3880 · 07-18-2008, 09:19 AM

Watch "Candy" with Heath Ledger. One of his last before he died. Turned out he knew a few things about opiate addiction in real life, unfortunately. I love this movie, really awful portrayal of what heroin use and w/d will do to you.
kj

**Peter** · 07-19-2008, 08:22 PM

Yeah, Candy is good. Sad though. Even sadder were I to watch it again.

exbartender · 07-22-2008, 10:42 AM

If I can throw a TV series into the mix, how about "Rescue Me" on the FX Channel. An excellently written and acted series, IMO, about NY Firefighters post 9/11. I am newly sober, but I have always related to Dennis Leary's character as he struggles to stay sober while the rest of his life is, well, challenging. Several other characters stuggle with alcohol as well.

Netflix is showing 6 seasons available on DVDs. That'll keep ya busy for a while.

exbartender · 07-22-2008, 11:12 AM

I just noticed NetFlix also has at least a couple "Communities" focusing on alcoholism and addictions, but I couldn't find a good way to link to them.

exbartender · 07-22-2008, 01:44 PM

Here's a movie I've never heard of, but stumbled upon today. Maybe "stumbled" isn't the best choice of words.

16 Years of Alcohol (2003)

IMDB entry:
16 Years of Alcohol (2003)

Dee74 · 07-23-2008, 04:57 AM

OK LOL it's been 20 years since I saw it, but how is My Left Foot about addiction and or recovery?

s'ok I've just been reminded Christy liked a drink or ten....

LOL

D

cmhcali · 07-25-2008, 09:29 AM

Completely off topic but it is about a movie so I felt I had to share. When a Man Loves a Woman is my favorite movie. But it is for now what I see as disturbing reasons. When A Man Loves a Woman came out in 1994. I was 14 years old. I knew as soon as I saw that Movie, that that was going to be my life.

I knew that I was going to be Meg Ryan. I envied her. That she was an alcoholic but she had a wonderful husband who was patient and it all worked out in the end. I was convinced at 14 before I knew of my true disease that I was going to marry a man that was going to save me from what I was to become...

It is still my favorite movie and ironically I have probably had about 50 people throughout my life tell me I look like Meg Ryan (freaky)

least · 07-25-2008, 12:29 PM

The 1971 movie I called "Needle Park" is actually called "Panic in Needle Park" and stars a very young Al Pacino! Excellent movie.

kj3880 · 07-30-2008, 12:25 PM

Watch the show: Heidi Fleiss, the Would-be Madam of Crystal, documentary currently on HBO. She's a total train wreck by the end of it from Crystal Meth, and I think, Cocaine.
kj

JigOvLife · 07-30-2008, 12:40 PM

Nil By Mouth

Don't think anyone's mentioned it. 1997: dir.Gary Oldman. Starring: Ray Winstone. Won 2 Bafta's
Harrowing depiction of the wreckage caused by alcohol and heroin on a contempary British family. Not for the faint hearted though

05-13-2008, 10:10 AM	#27 (permalink)
Rarly Harley Have we seen a person fail... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: S.S. Marie, Ont. Can. Posts: 710	The absolute best reminder for me is The Unforgiven, by Clint Eastwood. I've watched it many times and it reminds me of what will happen to me, if I choose to pick up a drink, even 18 years into recovery....
	__________________ Rarly 2002 FLHTC "Annie" " as we let our own light shine, we unconciously give other people permission to do the same"... Nelson Mandela

06-22-2008, 12:17 AM	#30 (permalink)
lizw God's Kid Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 910	Great flicks I live in New Zealand where the film 'Once were warriors' was made. There was also a sequel called 'What becomes of the broken hearted.' Nearly everyone in NZ knows someone who is part of the kind of family 'One were warriors' portrays. Someone told me that orginally the script (for the film) was written fom the Dad's (Jack Heke) point of view but because he doesn't really change it was a poor script so they scrapped it and rewrote it from the Wife's (Beth Heke) point of view. I'd like to say that the film changed domestic violence but it didn't. I REALLY like that film Clean and Sober because it is so crazy and that's what it is like when you first get sober. When I think of the guy driving round trying to figure out what to do, after his bosses daughter is found half dead in his bed, and he's like think, think and then the add for the treatment centre comes on the radio. It's just f**ken brilliant in a lightbulb moment kinda way.
	__________________ ....blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.

06-22-2008, 12:35 PM	#32 (permalink)
sct a simple crazy thing Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 217	Not specifically recovery... but I believe that if you look, you can find recovery in anything. Pursuit of Happyness- has a great message of doing whatever it takes to improve your life, and persevering even when it looks like success is impossible. Kung Fu Panda - (Yes I know-- bear with me) The central message of this movie, is accepting things you cannot change, and turning your liabilities into assets.
sct a simple crazy thing Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 217	__________________ Ask a simple crazy thing... singing in the snow... (EE Cummings)

07-23-2008, 04:57 AM	#39 (permalink)
Dee74 warning contents may settle Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: far out. Posts: 8,503	OK LOL it's been 20 years since I saw it, but how is My Left Foot about addiction and or recovery? s'ok I've just been reminded Christy liked a drink or ten.... LOL D
	__________________ No More Groundhog Day!! Never argue with an idiot: they'll drag you down to their level - and beat you with experience....

07-25-2008, 09:29 AM	#40 (permalink)
cmhcali Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 384	Completely off topic but it is about a movie so I felt I had to share. When a Man Loves a Woman is my favorite movie. But it is for now what I see as disturbing reasons. When A Man Loves a Woman came out in 1994. I was 14 years old. I knew as soon as I saw that Movie, that that was going to be my life. I knew that I was going to be Meg Ryan. I envied her. That she was an alcoholic but she had a wonderful husband who was patient and it all worked out in the end. I was convinced at 14 before I knew of my true disease that I was going to marry a man that was going to save me from what I was to become... It is still my favorite movie and ironically I have probably had about 50 people throughout my life tell me I look like Meg Ryan (freaky)
	__________________ Sober date: June 17, 2008

05-12-2008, 06:09 PM	#26 (permalink)
Gertiegirl Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Whoville (with Horton) Posts: 105	"Once were warriors" was filmed in New Zealand, so is definately in English. Amazing depiction of family violence and how children are affected by an alcoholic father. It also shows the mother and how she picks up the peices. Its amazing, don't miss it. Also if you enjoy reading, and like the occassional "chick lit" as they're known, Try Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes. Amazing story of addiction and recovery.

05-14-2008, 06:06 AM	#28 (permalink)
lilbit Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Leesburg,NJ Posts: 255	Hey Gertie...Watch Smoke Signals...you'll LOVE that one too!

05-16-2008, 03:41 AM	#29 (permalink)
kari69 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: PA Posts: 16	peaceful warrior

06-22-2008, 12:02 PM	#31 (permalink)
semisane Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Johannesburg South Africa Posts: 7	Barfly Traffic The Rose Bright Lights Big City

07-18-2008, 09:19 AM	#34 (permalink)
kj3880 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: md Posts: 1,219	Watch "Candy" with Heath Ledger. One of his last before he died. Turned out he knew a few things about opiate addiction in real life, unfortunately. I love this movie, really awful portrayal of what heroin use and w/d will do to you. kj

07-19-2008, 08:22 PM	#35 (permalink)
Peter Moderator Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Leaving Sparta Posts: 2,498	Yeah, Candy is good. Sad though. Even sadder were I to watch it again.

07-22-2008, 10:42 AM	#36 (permalink)
exbartender No longer behind bars Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 35	If I can throw a TV series into the mix, how about "Rescue Me" on the FX Channel. An excellently written and acted series, IMO, about NY Firefighters post 9/11. I am newly sober, but I have always related to Dennis Leary's character as he struggles to stay sober while the rest of his life is, well, challenging. Several other characters stuggle with alcohol as well. Netflix is showing 6 seasons available on DVDs. That'll keep ya busy for a while.

07-22-2008, 11:12 AM	#37 (permalink)
exbartender No longer behind bars Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 35	I just noticed NetFlix also has at least a couple "Communities" focusing on alcoholism and addictions, but I couldn't find a good way to link to them.

07-22-2008, 01:44 PM	#38 (permalink)
exbartender No longer behind bars Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 35	Here's a movie I've never heard of, but stumbled upon today. Maybe "stumbled" isn't the best choice of words. 16 Years of Alcohol (2003) IMDB entry: 16 Years of Alcohol (2003)

07-25-2008, 12:29 PM	#41 (permalink)
least Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: USA Posts: 3,025	The 1971 movie I called "Needle Park" is actually called "Panic in Needle Park" and stars a very young Al Pacino! Excellent movie.

07-30-2008, 12:25 PM	#42 (permalink)
kj3880 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: md Posts: 1,219	Watch the show: Heidi Fleiss, the Would-be Madam of Crystal, documentary currently on HBO. She's a total train wreck by the end of it from Crystal Meth, and I think, Cocaine. kj

07-30-2008, 12:40 PM	#43 (permalink)
JigOvLife refusing to grow up Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Republic of Yorkshire Posts: 314	Nil By Mouth Don't think anyone's mentioned it. 1997: dir.Gary Oldman. Starring: Ray Winstone. Won 2 Bafta's Harrowing depiction of the wreckage caused by alcohol and heroin on a contempary British family. Not for the faint hearted though