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Boy Interrupted

(2009, Rated NR, Documentary, Starring Dana Perry, Evan Perry, Hart Perry)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Haunting suicide/depression docu; watch with your teens.

Themes in this movie include:   family relationships, growing up, loss

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The movie looks honestly at the impact that bipolar disorder can have on children and their families. It also highlights some of the misconceptions about the disease.

  • Role models:

    It's very clear that Dana and Hart Perry were fully committed to helping their son. Now they're working to raise awareness about bipolar disorder.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Suicide is one of the film's main themes, and it is discussed frequently and sometimes in detail. There are graphic photographs of a young Evan demonstrating how he was going to hang himself. As a child, Evan talks about having a rifle and shooting his family.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    The word "f--k" is occasionally used (unbleeped).

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Medications used to help treat Evan (including Lithium, Depakot, and Prozac) are briefly discussed. Evan's death is partly blamed on going off his medications.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Boy Interrupted

Parents need to know that this documentary looks at the life and death of Evan Perry, a teenager who killed himself after a decade-long struggle with bipolar disorder. While the film is informative, it focuses primarily on Evan's family's attempts to cope with his illness and death. Expect detailed discussions about suicide and mental illness and disturbing photographs of Evan practicing how to hang himself. Some may find the movie's subject matter and the heartrending way it's presented overwhelming -- parents, this is one to watch with your teens.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about depression and bipolar disorder. What's the difference between the two? What are the symptoms? How can these diseases be treated?
  • Who can you talk to if you or someone you know is depressed and/or contemplating suicide? Where can you go for help?
  • How is mental illness portrayed in the mainstream media? Do you think these portrayals help shed light on diseases like bipolar disorder, or do they create misconceptions about what being mentally ill is really like?


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