Three Christs

Three Christs is a compelling and thought-provoking drama directed by Jon Avnet and released in 2017. Based on a true story and chronicled in Milton Rokeach's 1964 book "The Three Christs of Ypsilanti," this captivating film delves into the world of psychiatric practice and questions the fundamentals of individual identities and beliefs.

The film opens with Dr. Alan Stone, flawlessly performed by Richard Gere. Dr. Stone is a progressive psychiatrist who has just left his position at a prestigious university to work at a mental institution in Michigan, troubled by the abusive electroshock and invasive surgical methods commonly used in psychiatric care. Stone is driven by a conviction that empathy and understanding can reveal more about mental illnesses than commonly accepted brutal practices. Empowered with this conviction, he takes under his wing three schizophrenic patients who each believe they are Jesus Christ.

The Christ trio is brought to life by a group of versatile and talented actors. Firstly, there's Joseph, played by Peter Dinklage, a horticulturist by profession who speaks in parables, shares words of wisdom and is convinced that he's from the first century. Then, there's Clyde, played by Bradley Whitford, a middle-aged man struggling with his inner demons and attachments to his past life. And finally, there's Leon, portrayed by Walton Goggins, a more volatile and confrontational persona, whose stance on his individuality is unwavering.

These three disparate men, all linked by a shared delusion, are brought together in a revolutionary experiment by Dr. Stone, meant to confront their beliefs and bring inner resolution. The doctor believes that if he can get them to understand and see that they cannot all possibly be the same person, they may face the reality of their own individual identities. Dr. Stone's goal is to provoke a reevaluation of their psychosis without subjecting them to severe physical therapies. It's a process that comes with challenges and unique learnings along the way, for both the patients and the doctor.

As the movie unfolds, it interestingly blurs the line between the doctor and the patients. The audience witnesses Dr. Stone navigating both professional challenges and personal dilemmas. His dedication to his work starts taking a toll on his personal life, straining his relationship with his wife, played by the award-winning actress Juliette Binoche. The audience is left to contemplate whether Stone's obsession with proving his treatment theory correct is purely professional or if he too is grappling with his own ideological delusions. It's a gripping narrative that sends the audience on an emotional rollercoaster punctuated by thought-provoking dialogue and heartrending performances.

The title of the movie, while directly referencing the patients' shared delusion, also serves as a metaphor summarizing Stone's dilemma. Challenging the concept of identity and reality on one hand and exploring the controversial practices in psychiatric treatment on the other, Three Christs is an engaging drama that unravels the complexity of mental illness and the exploration of adaptative perceptions.

What sets this movie apart is how it delicately handles the intricate topic of mental health. It’s about more than just the patients; it’s about the practices of psychiatric treatment, ethical boundaries, delusions, reality, and, most importantly, empathy. The portrayal of mental illness is respectful and careful, steering clear from stereotypes and clichés. It’s a challenging topic, and the movie seeks to stimulate contemplation and conversation on the subject, demanding reflections from the audience about shared delusions, identity crisis, empathy, and acceptance.

The movie encourages a reexamination of the approaches to mental health, presenting non-conventional measures of therapy. It doesn't shy away from asking tough questions and standing up against inhumane practices. Simultaneously, it's a study in identity, full of rich and complex characters grappling with their own definition of self.

In conclusion, Three Christs is an introspective film that questions the norms of identity and reality. It goes beyond merely narrating a story but rather shines a light on the potential needs for reforms in psychiatric treatment. The beautiful cinematography, fine acting, and stirring screenplay make up for a worthwhile watch. Providing an on-screen representation of one of the most compelling cases in psychiatric history, Three Christs serves as a substantial and thoughtful drama.