Brain on Fire

A young newspaper writer suffers an unexpected breakdown and this film follows the consequences, medical review, treatment options, meds, etc. It's an interesting story with a somewhat rare root cause, but not that unique considering the exponential learning curve of medical science just in the last 50 years. The screenplay possibly originated in a medical journal.

For me, the best part was the insider's view of medical triage: the trials and tribulations of diagnosis, the pressure of expediency, and the effects of advocacy paired with available health care.

Suggestions for Chloe Grace Moretz casting/make-up: - the puffy lips were distracting - her nails were too perfect for someone earning a living at a keyboard AND suffering manic episodes.

Susannah Cahalan (Chloë Grace Moretz) is 21 with a dream job as a New York Post reporter. Stephen Grywalski is her musician boyfriend. Her father Tom Cahalan (Richard Armitage) and her mother Rhona Nack (Carrie- Anne Moss) are divorced. Fellow reporter Margo (Jenny Slate) is her best friend and Richard (Tyler Perry) is her boss. She starts suffering from strange symptoms but doctors are stymied.

The story is basically a medical mystery Lifetime movie. It has superior actors who are able to bring some life to the material. The story is very straight forward with no surprises and the filmmaking is the same. It leaves the movie with limited potential for tension but the actors with the exception of the boyfriend try their best to elevate the material. There is one scene which surprised me. When she looked into the mirror and can't see her reflection, it occurred to me that the first half of the movie could easily be turned into a horror movie. There is a potential to see this from her point of view and make this a paranoia disturbing vision. That could have injected something original into the first half and allow for a surprise twist in the middle. Otherwise, this is solid if somewhat uninspired filmmaking.

This movie resonates with me. As a parent, I know what it's like to watch the so called medical experts come to incomplete conclusions to proclaim misdiagnoses without considering ALL the facts.

Let me start by stating I gave this movie a 10. OK.. may be got too excited but it doesn't deserve anything less than a 8. The negative comments are beyond my understanding. The story is based on true events. So obviously the end of the movie will depict what happened in reality. But I loved the ending. you have to watch this. The acting done by every one specially Chloe and the Dad was simply amazing. The direction of the movie was great. Gives you something to watch. You stay hooked to this movie till the end. I mean for me i wish the movie was a bit longer. It ended too soon. If I'm not wrong, I think they call it giving depth to the character. And that has been done brilliantly in this movie. No spoilers. But its a much watch. Ignore the negative comments and the low rating. If nothing, I Promise you once your done, u would have learned something new about medical science. But that is just an understatement.

I wish there were more movies on the subject of mental illness, the way these incurable illnesses destroys your life, the lives of family, loved ones, and friends.

Unlike my life, this movie does have a happy ending. These illnesses are misunderstood, bring fear to many, and in most cases considered Taboo to discuss.

Chloe does an amazing performance at portraying the highs (manic) and lows (depressive) of Bipolar. The uncontrollable paranoia, voices and visions associated with schizophrenia. The feelings of being alone, the emptiness and worthlessness.

I was first diagnosed in 2010 and have lost my career, respect of my peers, my friends and even lost my 22 year old Son and 21 year old Daughter (they think I am 'crazy', they are ashamed of who I have become, and refuse to educate themselves on this terrible subject). They have now moved two states away and tell everyone that I died in an accident.

For those of us afflicted with mental illness... we did not do anything wrong or horrible to be this way. It's just the way we were born. Chemical imbalances in our brain... not from sin, drugs, drinking, or smoking

I implore all of you to watch this amazing story that will pull on your heart strings and create a very powerful compassion that you never knew existed.

One piece of advice before watching... for many of you, have your tissues ready... I cried my way through every minute.