Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Docu diagnoses #45 with malignant narcissism.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
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#Unfit: The Psychology of Donald Trump
What's the Story?
In #UNFIT: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF DONALD TRUMP, a group of psychiatrists, psychologists, and scholars -- plus former White House and government officials and several others -- offer their analysis of the controversial behavior of President Donald Trump. The doctors conclude that Trump is a "malignant narcissist." They demonstrate how Trump fits the definitions of the four clinical conditions of malignant narcissism, which are 1) narcissism, 2) paranoia, 3) antisocial personality disorder, and 4) sadism. Other interviewees give examples of how Trump cheats (specifically at golf) and is terrible to women. The documentary also analyzes how Trump's behavior could possibly appeal to voters, citing comparisons to Mussolini and Hitler.
Is It Any Good?
It certainly won't persuade any Trump fans, but this documentary puts forth one of the clearest analyses of the 45th U.S. president's controversial, polarizing behavior. Directed by Dan Partland, #Unfit: The Psychology of Donald Trump features a wide array of interviewees, including high-ranking doctors and historians; former intelligence officer Malcolm Nance; co-founder of the Lincoln Project George Conway (husband of former Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway); Anthony Scaramucci, a former director of communications under Trump (he held the position for 11 days); sportswriter Rick Reilly; and Richard Painter, ethics attorney under President George W. Bush.
The film is fairly scattershot, ranging from intelligent psychoanalysis to discussion of Trump's golf game to quite a few snippets of archive footage (much of which has been seen thousands of times). But it has a good, calm energy, comfortable in its logic and its ability to speak freely. It even addresses one major criticism -- how can doctors analyze a patient they've never met? -- and provides a reasonable explanation (as well as untangling the "Goldwater Rule"). And Scaramucci offers a well-reasoned justification for Trump's fervent supporters ("It's an anger-based vote"). Overall, #Unfit: The Psychology of Donald Trump is, predictably, alarming, and it certainly has a limited shelf life, but it also demonstrates that knowledge can give fear a run for its money any day.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether they consider #Unfit: The Psychology of Donald Trump to be violent in any way. Does the movie feel calm? Edgy? Unsettling? What images or words caused these reactions? Why?
Does this movie feel biased one way or another? Does it have a political agenda? Is it possible for any documentary to be completely objective or free of bias?
Would you consider Trump a bully, based on the information presented in this documentary? Why, or why not?
What is empathy? Is it possible for a person to lack empathy?
Did the documentary inspire you to act in real life?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : August 28, 2020
- Cast : George Conway , Anthony Scaramucci , Rick Reilly
- Director : Dan Partland
- Studio : Dark Star Pictures
- Genre : Documentary
- Run time : 83 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 28, 2020
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