Watch Maladies

Maladies is a 2012 drama film directed and written by Carter, starring James Franco, Catherine Keener, Fallon Goodson, and David Strathairn. The film follows a group of writers and artists living in 1960s New York struggling with various forms of mental illness. James Franco plays James, an actor who was once successful but is now struggling to find his place in the world. He has a steady girlfriend, Catherine (played by Catherine Keener), who he lives with, but he's frustrated with his lack of direction in life. James spends most of his days painting a large canvas and talking to an imaginary friend (Fallon Goodson) whom he refers to as his sister. Catherine is worried about James and wants him to see a therapist, but he refuses.

Catherine is also dealing with her own issues, including writer's block and the guilt she feels over her brother's death. Her brother (played by David Strathairn) was a writer who died by suicide, and Catherine blames herself for not being there for him. She's also frustrated with James because she feels like he's not taking their relationship seriously.

As the film progresses, we see the characters' lives unravel even further. James becomes increasingly manic and unpredictable, and Catherine's writer's block worsens. They both continue to struggle with their mental health and their relationship with each other.

The cinematography in Maladies is dark and moody, reflecting the characters' inner turmoil. The film feels like a snapshot of a particular moment in time, with its 1960s setting and references to Warhol and other artists and writers from the era. However, the themes of mental illness and existential angst are timeless, and the film's portrayal of them is raw and honest.

The performances in Maladies are excellent across the board. James Franco is particularly impressive as James, capturing both his character's charm and his volatility. Catherine Keener is also great as Catherine, conveying a deep sadness and frustration with her character's situation. Fallon Goodson is a standout as James's imaginary sister, bringing a sense of childlike wonder and whimsy to the role.

One of the most impressive aspects of Maladies is how it manages to avoid cliches and easy answers. The film doesn't provide easy solutions for its characters' problems, nor does it romanticize mental illness in any way. Instead, it presents a complex and nuanced portrait of people struggling with mental health issues and the toll it takes on their lives and relationships.

Overall, Maladies is a dark and introspective drama that will resonate with anyone who has struggled with mental illness. It's a challenging film that requires a certain level of commitment from the viewer, but for those willing to take the journey, it's a rich and rewarding experience.

Maladies is a 2014 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9 and a MetaScore of 28.