Seeking depictions of healthy anger
April 15, 2019 12:29 PM Subscribe
Looking for movies, shows, and books that depict someone feeling and expressing healthy anger.
I was raised in (what I now know to be) an abusive home, which meant that Parent was the only one ever allowed to show anger and Parent showed anger through yelling, swearing, name calling, striking, etc.
Out of a desire to be nothing like Parent, I’ve taken to completely suppressing my anger over the years. As it turns out, that’s not super healthy. Per my therapists’s suggestion, I’m now trying to feel and express my anger instead of stifle it—but I have no idea what that should look like, since I’ve only seen really unhealthy models of anger. Or rather, in theory I know various ways/strategies to show anger in a healthy way, but I want to see it in action—even if it’s fictional action.
So I’m turning to media for models. What movies, tv shows, or books (or anything else) depict anger in a healthy, constructive way? Looking for both general anger and anger directed at specific people. Bonus points if the person expressing that anger is a woman.
I was raised in (what I now know to be) an abusive home, which meant that Parent was the only one ever allowed to show anger and Parent showed anger through yelling, swearing, name calling, striking, etc.
Out of a desire to be nothing like Parent, I’ve taken to completely suppressing my anger over the years. As it turns out, that’s not super healthy. Per my therapists’s suggestion, I’m now trying to feel and express my anger instead of stifle it—but I have no idea what that should look like, since I’ve only seen really unhealthy models of anger. Or rather, in theory I know various ways/strategies to show anger in a healthy way, but I want to see it in action—even if it’s fictional action.
So I’m turning to media for models. What movies, tv shows, or books (or anything else) depict anger in a healthy, constructive way? Looking for both general anger and anger directed at specific people. Bonus points if the person expressing that anger is a woman.
Best answer: The TV series Elementary is based on the Sherlock Holmes canon, and no version of Sherlock Holmes can be called a model for solid mental health; but Elementary does interesting things in examining Sherlock as an addict in recovery and the platonic partnership between Sherlock and Joan Watson, which involves a lot of interpersonal conflict largely resolved through a lot of talking. Joan Watson is particularly interesting as a character who is thoughtful and deliberate yet compassionate, and who tends to express her anger as cool but direct fury.
posted by nicebookrack at 1:10 PM on April 15, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by nicebookrack at 1:10 PM on April 15, 2019 [3 favorites]
Best answer: A kid like jake
In the climax scene the parents have a knock down argument, where the husband so clearly and healthily says what he means, means what he says and calls the wife out on her shit without getting nasty or attacking it was a joy to watch, even if the film itself was meandering.
Angela Bassett. That woman is Personal Power, personified.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 1:21 PM on April 15, 2019 [1 favorite]
In the climax scene the parents have a knock down argument, where the husband so clearly and healthily says what he means, means what he says and calls the wife out on her shit without getting nasty or attacking it was a joy to watch, even if the film itself was meandering.
Angela Bassett. That woman is Personal Power, personified.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 1:21 PM on April 15, 2019 [1 favorite]
The tv shows Parenthood and Friday Night Lights
posted by sallybrown at 2:30 PM on April 15, 2019
posted by sallybrown at 2:30 PM on April 15, 2019
Steel Magnolias -- M'Lynn Eatenton (Sally Field) and Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie (Julia Roberts) renegotiate their relationship as mother and daughter in the face of the daughter's worsening health and the decisions she makes.
Bonus points for how the other ladies deal with the ups and downs in their lives, and how they uphold each other without trying to change their fundamental characters.
posted by TrishaU at 7:43 PM on April 15, 2019
Bonus points for how the other ladies deal with the ups and downs in their lives, and how they uphold each other without trying to change their fundamental characters.
posted by TrishaU at 7:43 PM on April 15, 2019
Best answer: I love that Mister Rogers talked about anger and how to express it in healthy ways: "and not have to hurt yourself, or anybody else."
Mister Rogers on playing the piano when angry
Your library may have some of the Mister Rogers or Daniel Tiger videos.
posted by kristi at 1:35 PM on April 19, 2019
Mister Rogers on playing the piano when angry
Your library may have some of the Mister Rogers or Daniel Tiger videos.
posted by kristi at 1:35 PM on April 19, 2019
This thread is closed to new comments.
Some other movies I think might work for you:
Norma Rae
North Country
A Few Good Men
posted by phunniemee at 12:43 PM on April 15, 2019