Into the Cuckoo's Nest: Silver Linings Playbook and Movies About Odd People

Abstract

Odd people have always been identified and often treated differently in human societies. In modern times, they have been described as being afflicted with a psychological condition to be treated by specialists and assigned to a “crazy” category by general society. Movies about such odd people have a long history. A recent movie, Silver Linings Playbook, presents a picture of mental patients displaying symptoms, but accepted into their home community. A pair of them shows the beginnings of a subcultural community among “odd people,” a version that has not been seen before.