Mr. Jones, Movie Review Example

In the 1993 movie Mr. Jones, Richard Gere portrays a man suffering from bipolar disorder. The movie focuses on his behaviors, as well as his relationship with his therapist, Dr. Bowen, portrayed by Lena Olin. Despite some unrealistic plot elements, the film does a fair job of depicting bipolar disorder in a balanced manner. While the film illustrates the negative aspects of the disease, it also makes clear how some parts of the disease can seem positive.

The behaviors best shown by the movie are Mr. Jones’s manic episodes. The movie begins with him talking his way into a construction job. He is charming and displays an uncanny ability to suss out details of the lives of people based on very subtle clues. For example, he deduces the foreman’s city of origin to within a few miles based on his almost imperceptible accent. This ability reflects the fact that during a manic episode, it is not just the person’s perception that his or her brain is working faster; the brain really does function at a higher speed.  Unfortunately, the manic state also damages the ability to make reason. Mr. Jones ends up in the hospital when he becomes convinced that he can fly off the house he is helping to build.

During this hospitalization, he meets Dr. Bowen for the first time. She is an emotionally controlled person who has just endured an unpleasant divorce from a terribly uptight man. She struggles with the confines of her life, constantly running late and living in chaos in her home while still projecting a professional demeanor at work. This characterization sets the stage for the Hollywood aspect of the movie in which she is seduced by the carefree and vibrant nature of Jones’s manic persona. Prior to that, the film shows how charming Mr. Jones can be, even when his behavior is unusual. He spends money freely and takes great pleasure in giving to others. His joie de vivre is very contagious. For example, he takes a put-upon bank teller on a whirlwind afternoon, providing a much-needed break from her oppressive boss. Nonetheless, his behavior again spirals out of control, landing him back in Dr. Bowen’s care. Not surprisingly, since this is Hollywood, not real life, when Bowen’s attempt to have him committed fails, he is able to tempt her away from her work and her professional persona, spending the afternoon with her at the beach and getting her back in touch with her own ability to enjoy life.

From this point, the film shows Jones’s descent into depression and subsequent hospital stay, which provides the setting for his relationship with Bowen to develop. Various cinematic contrivances, such as Jones saving Bowen’s life when she is attacked by another patient, contribute to the plot, but not to the film’s exploration of bipolar disease. Where the film does do a good job, is in showing Jones’s view of his disease. He is unwilling to give up the highs, even though he recognizes the dangers. Jones actually describes himself as a junkie who needs his highs, despite the cost.

Mr. Jones contains some elements of criticism of the psychiatric profession. The qualities that ultimately make Bowen a good therapist in the film are those that are technically unprofessional. She allows herself to become romantically involved with Jones, which although it provokes the pivotal conflict of the movie, also sets up the ending, in which Bowen gives up her position in order to pursue her relationship with Jones, ultimately validating his embrace of his condition as a key part of his identity. As in most movies, the difficulties faced by the two in dealing with the inevitable problems caused by Jones’s behavior remain explored.

Despite the good work the film does in showing the experience of bipolar disorder, the ending undermines its efficacy as a teaching tool. Suggesting that Mr. Jones is correct in his unwillingness to accept treatment sends a dangerous message to people suffering from the disorder. The risk to the client who refuses medication can be life-threatening and the implication that a romantic relationship can fix things is highly unrealistic.

References

Figgis, M. (Director), Greenfield, D., & Greisman, A. (Producers). (1993). Mr. Jones [DVD]. United States: Rastar Productions.