Recommend me a movie (specific subject)

[Thelonious001]

I'm looking for movies that in some way have a theme of sports psychology (doesn't have to be the main theme), especially if the person has a mental problem (mental, of course, in the sports psychology sense, not mental illness) preventing them from being able to do something they need to do or perform as well as they can.

It doesn't have to be about sports.

An example would be 8th Mile where Eminem's character is a very talented rapper, but he keeps failing to deliver when it counts, on the big stage.

[ilovenola2]

Originally Posted by Thelonious001

I'm looking for movies that in some way have a theme of sports psychology (doesn't have to be the main theme), especially if the person has a mental problem (mental, of course, in the sports psychology sense, not mental illness) preventing them from being able to do something they need to do or perform as well as they can.

It doesn't have to be about sports.

An example would be 8th Mile where Eminem's character is a very talented rapper, but he keeps failing to deliver when it counts, on the big stage.

Here's one that actually IS about "sports." It's from the early 60s, a superb b&w film called "Fear Strikes Out."

It's a biography of baseball star Jimmy Piersal who went through severe mental problems for years. The star of Hitchcock's "Psycho," Anthony Perkins is Piersal. Karl Malden gives his usual outstanding performance as Piersal's father.

I don't know if you're interested in a 50-yr-old film, but I believe it's on the track for what you want. It's a hell of a good film, too.
Hope that helps.

[ArnieCunningham]

Feild of dreams is aboit baseball.

[Feiereisel]

What about MONEYBALL?

I'm not sure if it quite fits, but a lot of discussion is devoted to the perceived insanity of Beane's sabermetrics scheme--Beane himself perceives it as a failure because it doesn't win the A's a championship.

I think that might be close to what you're getting at? Maybe?

[Show spoiler]Good luck with your paper.

[Coenskubrick]

American Psycho: Peppy overdog Patrick Bateman puts in his best effort to retain his appearance of normalcy and social and sexual perfection while being a raving homicidal maniac inside.

Does that work? XD

[L.J.]

One that comes to mind are Million Dollar Baby. Not sports related but The Outsiders kind of has that type of story. The Hustler with Paul Newman is a good one to.

[KubrickKurasawa]

Originally Posted by Thelonious001

I'm looking for movies that in some way have a theme of sports psychology (doesn't have to be the main theme), especially if the person has a mental problem (mental, of course, in the sports psychology sense, not mental illness) preventing them from being able to do something they need to do or perform as well as they can.

It doesn't have to be about sports.

An example would be 8th Mile where Eminem's character is a very talented rapper, but he keeps failing to deliver when it counts, on the big stage.

Possibly what you're looking for....

Sports related


Fear related

[Buscemi]

Punch-Drunk Love should fit the bill. It's not a sports film but plenty of psychological elements.

[seabterry]

[imsounoriginal]

Try Days of Thunder, especially since a chunk of the movie is about a character getting back to champion level after a bad wreck and his rival/friend undergoing brain surgery.

But more than any other reason, watch it cuz it's awesome.

[Steedeel]

karate Kid!

[The Great Owl]

Breaking Away (1979) is a great sports movie that deals with the various issues of the cyclists that prevent them from being at their best.

[Tony208]

Ron Howard's Rush

[L.J.]

Originally Posted by UnknownBesideArch

Would Whiplash count?

also, that Nick Nolte movie from a few years back... I don't remember that one all very well, but IIRC it dealt with themes similar to what you mentioned... might be the sort of film you're after. Peaceful Warrior I think it was called. I think I quite liked it at the time.

Think what your talking about is Warrior great film.

[Buscemi]

That was Peaceful Warrior and yes, the actor was Nick Nolte.

I still remember seeing that in the theatre as part of a promotion where every ticket was given away for free for a week (all you had to do was print off a ticket voucher and you got in). Surprisingly, the theatre was almost totally empty.

[P-Rock]

A Serbian Film: A retired porn star returns to making an art porn movie, but discovers he ended up in a snuff movie instead.

Or you could try My Left Foot or Forrest Gump.

[Thelonious001]

Thanks a lot, fellas, some great suggestions!

Some of the suggestions are missing it a little bit though. I'm looking for stuff specifically where someone is unable to perform at their best or do something that they are actually capable of doing, because of some psychological element, whether its lack of self belief, a negative belief, or just some weird mental thing.

This is a very specific subject, tho so I'll take anything that has any psychological elements related to performance, again, not necessarily in sports, can be in any part of life.

Again, appreciate the suggestions!

Originally Posted by ilovenola2

Here's one that actually IS about "sports." It's from the early 60s, a superb b&w film called "Fear Strikes Out."

It's a biography of baseball star Jimmy Piersal who went through severe mental problems for years. The star of Hitchcock's "Psycho," Anthony Perkins is Piersal. Karl Malden gives his usual outstanding performance as Piersal's father.

I don't know if you're interested in a 50-yr-old film, but I believe it's on the track for what you want. It's a hell of a good film, too.
Hope that helps.

Thanks! It doesn't matter how old the film is.

[KRW1]

I can't remember a lot of Silver Linings Playbook but it seems to fit the bill.

[dvdmike]

[Col. Zombie]

Would A Beautiful Mind count?

[Show spoiler]