Tip#868: Movies to Inspire Hope & Ignite Change - Still Alice

“So, 'live in the moment' I tell myself. It's really all I can do, live in the moment.” 
Still Alice (2014)

For many months I didn’t have the courage to watch Still Alice where Julianne Moore had won an Oscar for Best Actress. I could sense it would be a depressing film and I was already dealing with a long bout of clinical depression. But recently a good friend highly recommended seeing it and my gut told me it was time. It was devastating. I cried throughout the movie because it mirrored some of the difficulties I’d been struggling with for years.

I feel I’ve lost so much time not hanging out with friends and attending social events as much as I used to because a major symptom I experience is withdrawal from the world. At times my arms and legs are also difficult to move and I lose my focus and concentration. The amazing thing is that when I’m able to be with friends or in front of an audience giving a presentation I become my old, enthusiastic, playful self again! So there is always hope even when my brain fools me into thinking all is hopeless.

Still Alice (2014)

The drama film, Still Alice, is about renowned linguistics professor and speaker Dr. Alice Howland (Julianne Moore) who is diagnosed with early onset familial Alzheimer’s disease. This compelling story slowly takes you down a dark, emotional journey thanks to Moore’s outstanding and mesmerizing performance of what it's like to lose one’s memory and sense of self. Also explored is how Alice’s husband and three adult children cope and lovingly support her. See: movie trailer

This film may be a challenge to watch especially if you or someone you know is dealing with a mental health challenge. For me I watched it during a deep period of depression and was surprised and inspired by one scene of Alice giving a speech 2/3rd's into the film. Debilitated by Alzheimer’s disease Alice found a unique way of coping in order to deliver her presentation. Her words were so powerful and unexpectedly optimistic that it touched my soul and reminded me to persevere no matter what and continue to share my own journey with depression to inspire others.

If you are struggling with difficult times or mental health challenges please remember the inspiring power of movies and the stories they tell. Movie heroes can help give you direction even when life seems hopeless. They can remind you to persevere, stay resilient and ignite your indestructible optimism.

Read more: The Women Behind ‘Still Alice’ — Using Their Brains to Fight Alzheimer’s

“I am not suffering. I am struggling. Struggling to be a part of things, to stay connected to who I once was.” 
Still Alice (2014)

Related Tips:
Tip#855: How Movies Saved My Life, Part 1 - Depression & Mental Health – Tomorrowland
Tip#863: How Movies Saved My Life, Part 2 - Depression & Mental Health - Inside Out
Tip#811: Resilience Resources, Part 4 – Top 15 Movies for Dealing with Depression, Winter Blues & Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

SEE INSPIRING PHOTOS & TIPS TO DEAL WITH DEPRESSION:
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Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Insights, Epiphanies & AHA moments 



Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Resilience Expert
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience in Your Work & Life!
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© Emmanuel Lopez 2015