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Characters On The Couch

How a psychologist thinks about your favorite Film & TV characters.

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Brooklyn How Love Heals Homesickness & A Difficult Mother

BROOKLYN
How Love Heals Homesickness
& A Difficult Mother

January 3, 2020 by Dr. Sandra E. Cohen

Has it really been 4 years since John Crowley and Nick Hornby’s film, Brooklyn, hit the big screen? And, why is it still a movie that speaks to us and that we keep going back to? Is it because it’s the versatile and talented Saorise Ronan’s first major film? Or because we all know, somewhere …

Read moreBROOKLYN
How Love Heals Homesickness
& A Difficult Mother
Diane Guilt & Shame How Self-Sacrifice Can Ruin A Life

DIANE
Guilt & Shame
How Self-Sacrifice Ruins A Life

May 15, 2019 by Dr. Sandra E. Cohen

Shame can ruin a life. A mistake can force a woman to live in self-sacrifice. For Diane, the reasons why are hidden in the loaded question: “How is Brian?” This question haunts her through the entirety of Kent Jones’ character-driven film, Diane. Not only is Brian Diane’s alcoholic and drug-addicted son, but underneath her attempts …

Read moreDIANE
Guilt & Shame
How Self-Sacrifice Ruins A Life
A Star Is Born Infant Trauma Can Ruin A Life

A STAR IS BORN
Repeating Notes of  Infant Trauma
Can Ruin A Life If Not Heard

February 18, 2019 by Dr. Sandra E. Cohen

Hanging himself wasn’t Jackson Maine’s fault. Nor was his drinking. Yes, his brother Bobby said to the heartbroken, Ally: “It was Jack; not you; not me; Jack and no one else.” But, that’s because he didn’t understand. And, really, Jackson had the right idea: “A song is only an octave. Twelve notes and it repeats. …

Read moreA STAR IS BORN
Repeating Notes of  Infant Trauma
Can Ruin A Life If Not Heard
The Look of Silence Why A Replacement Child Must Face His Brother's Death

THE LOOK OF SILENCE
Why A Replacement Child
Must Face His Brother’s Death

March 24, 2016 by Dr. Sandra E. Cohen

Joshua Oppenheimer’s 2016 Oscar-nominated documentary, The Look Of Silence, is a riveting exploration of the Indonesian genocide’s complicated psychological aftermath. In 1965-1967, the military dictatorship killed over a million assumed Communists opposed to their rule. In the film, we follow the Rukun family, centered on 44-year-old Adi, all unable to grieve the brutal murder of …

Read moreTHE LOOK OF SILENCE
Why A Replacement Child
Must Face His Brother’s Death
Date Rape Loretta Young and Clark Gable

DATE RAPE
What Loretta Young & Clark Gable
Remind Us Of Now

July 16, 2015 by Dr. Sandra E. Cohen

Date rape is a confusing thing. You know the guy. Went out with him. Even consented to kiss him. Maybe even more. But, when it came right down to it, you said “No “and he didn’t listen. Is it your fault for having gone that far? It’s not. No is No. There’s no reason to …

Read moreDATE RAPE
What Loretta Young & Clark Gable
Remind Us Of Now
Wayward Pines Where Fear of Your Personal Truth is a Prison

WAYWARD PINES
Where Fear Of Your Personal Truth
Is A Prison

June 9, 2015 by Dr. Sandra E. Cohen

Ethan Burke (Matt Dillon), Secret Service agent, apparently made a mistake and let someone suspicious go. Apparently, 621 people died. This weighs heavily on his conscience. Other mistakes weigh heavily, too. Such as having an affair with his partner, Kate Hewson (Carla Gugino), and hurting his wife and son. Yet, as four episodes of M. …

Read moreWAYWARD PINES
Where Fear Of Your Personal Truth
Is A Prison
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Inspiration

“We come to Film and TV to find our hidden stories. If we look deeply into a character’s psyche, there is much to see about ourselves.”

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