The Psychology of the Film "The Good Son"

"The Good Son"(1993) is a film about a young boy named Mark Evens (Elija Woods) who's mother died. He eventually went to stay with his aunt and uncle because he had become very reclusive. After meeting his cousin Henry Evens(Macaulay Culkin) he opens up and the two become very good friends. Henry; however, unveils a strange and destructive personality. The movie reveals his past of him killing his younger brother, and his attempts to kill his mother and sister. Mark isn't taken seriously when he tries to tell his uncle about Henry's intents. His mother does however become suspicious. This results in a climatic death of Henry and a mother's tough choice to save him or Mark.

This film clearly states by the end of the movie that Henry has some sort of anger/jealousy issues. He hates any one or anything that might steal the attention from him away. It apparently started early because he killed his kid brother. He apparently had many issues with the boundries of life and moral. The killing of animals did not bother him at all. He cleverlay played everyone as if it were a game. Even when he attempted to murder his siter.

In reaction to how the film handled the disorder; it did very well. It was easily apparent of the darkness and disturbance of the young boy. It also handeled the families stugle with the boy, and their deception from what he was doing and what he has done. It also hit the problems with young Mark. He also had developmental problems while dealing with his mother's tradject death. He finily opened up to the coniving Henry and his mother, who reminded him of his own mother. Before that he was reclusive. Another area that it hit on was the mother of Henry was still coping with her other son's death. It seemed that she found some sort of repreaval through Mark.

All in all, I felt that this film delt with developmental disorders better than most. Although it still had to balance accuracy and entertainment; "The Good Son" showed obvious research and knowledge. Eventhough it wasn't my favorite movie, it still showed the issues with adolecence and anger, agression, and jeoulsy. The character of the film would be good to describe what it is like to be around this issue.