| Guilt There is something healthy about the capacity to feel guilt. This might seem like a controversial statement but in truth the most destructive acts are committed by people who do not feel guilt. These people do not have that voice inside their heads that says it’s wrong to do something that will be hurtful to another. Neither do these same people experience regret when they see what they have done. Of all the things that we can feel, guilt is probably the most difficult with which to contend. If we’ve committed an act (sometimes even just had a thought) about which we feel very guilty, that guilt doesn’t go away easily. Besides regret and remorse, we can form a negative view of ourselves because of whatever it is that we feel guilt about. Often we feel a need to do something to undo whatever we have done or make amends. This is not a bad thing and, to the contrary, guilt promotes responsibility and moves us to change behaviors that are hurtful and destructive While guilt can be a good thing, there are exceptions. There are many people who feel excessive and inappropriate guilt, i.e., guilt for things that are not bad or improper. This guilt rules their lives and promotes behaviors that are not only self-defeating but damaging to relationships. This can be seen when a person says no to an unreasonable request and then goes along with the request because of feelings of guilt for turning the person down. (Such people are often manipulated by others to feel guilt for things that are not inappropriate or wrong.) The following films reveal different issues about the complex subject of guilt revealing that guilt is certainly not a black and white subject. The Films  © Hollywood Pictures. All Rights Reserved. QUIZ SHOW Sometimes a basically honest and decent person can participate in a deception and behave dishonestly. As others begin to realize the truth, the person can continue the deception even when given a chance to come clean without any damaging repercussions. Of course the word "damaging" is relative because a blemish on one’s name and reputation can be damage enough. In Quiz Show, Charles Van Doren puts himself in this situation and resists telling the truth until it is impossible to hide what he has done. His struggle with himself and what he finally does reveals a great deal about both fear and guilt. His behavior in contrast to others who are guilty of the same deception but are less scrupulous says a lot about his character. Buena Vista Home Video. 1994 Rated PG-13 by MPAA. CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS This film reveals a troubling reality: Often the person who feels the most guilt is not necessarily the one who has committed the misdeed. In fact, those who do something truly awful to rid themselves of an offensive reality sometimes feel satisfaction and even joy. The issue is not that the one who feels the guilt for a lessor offense (a misdemeanor) shouldn’t, but in taking on more guilt than is appropriate or healthy that person causes himself excessive anguish. Ironically, this person has more character although he is not likely to see himself that way, being so aware of his bad behavior. For people who struggle with this issue, Crimes And Misdemeanors can be a powerful film. 1989. Orion Rated PG-13 by M.P.A.A. EVE’S BAYOU Childhood guilt can burden people throughout their adult lives. That’s because most children can feel very strong guilt, even for things over which they had no control. This guilt can leave a lasting imprint on their minds. This happens to Eve because of what follows after she buys a curse on her father. Eve takes responsibility for his death although what happens to him is a result of his own behavior and Eve’s putting a curse on her father is a reflection of her family’s dysfunction. In watching this film think of the curse as a symbol of childhood magical thinking and the belief that having a thought of something bad happening can cause that bad thing to happen. 1997. Trimark Home Video. Rated R by M.P.A.A. Please note: More movies are being added to this page. Check back soon.
|
  |
|
Therapeutic Cinema
Home Page Personal Resources |
||