Sarah Michelle Gellar Plays the Role of a Depressed Woman in 'Veronika Decides to Die'

"Veronika Decides to Die" is a movie that many people can sometimes relate to. It stars Sarah Michelle Gellar who gives a splendid performance of a depressed working girl that has everything going for her except happiness. It can be disturbing if you know someone that is suffering from depression.

What is the Movie About?

"Veronika Decides to Die" is a book written by Paul Coelho, which is a best seller and I can imagine it is a good read and gives more detail than the film does, but I have not read this book, so I cannot give an opinion on it. The story starts with Veronika overdosing herself on pills and alcohol and as she is doing this she walks to the window of her apartment and sees a woman look up at her. This woman appears to have sensed that something is wrong. Almost, immediately, help for Veronika comes her way, which does seem a little strange. Veronika survives and awakes from a coma, whilst in a psychiatric unit at a mental institution only to find out that the overdose has damaged her heart. Doctor Blake tells her that she has only a few days to live. At first, when she awakes she is annoyed that she is still alive, but then as time goes by her awareness of life and the fact that she has only a short time left has given her something to think about. She begins to realize that there are things she wants to do before she dies and tells this to her Doctor. She meets Edward, played by Jonathan Tucker, who she is drawn to as he is to her. She starts to become passionate about playing the piano again and Edward loves to listen to her play. A romantic relationship between her and Edward begin to evolve and then everything changes.

Was the Film a Success?

Sarah Michelle Gellar gives an outstanding performance of a woman who is deeply disturbed and depressed and who then transforms her way of thinking now that she knows she is about to die. John Tucker equally gives a heart wrenching performance of a young man who does not speak until he meets Veronika. The acting in "Veronika Decides to Die" gives the movie a real dramatic, emotional feel to it. It is an unusual kind of movie, but it brings out a deep and focused story about depression. It can be disturbing to watch, but it's reality. Doctor Blake, played by David Thewlis, makes his character very believable. His talents as a Psychiatric Doctor who is dedicated to his job and the mental facility that he runs is very sacred to him, as is every patient to him.

The movie is just a simple one and it is not an epic, but it creates an enhancing story of life in a mental institution giving us viewers something to think about.