I've heard a positive and a negative review of the new Disney movie, "Christopher Robin."
The thing is - and I suppose naturally so - these reviewers start by comparing this movie to previous incarnations (both book and film) of "Winnie the Pooh."
But when I recently watched "Christopher Robin," I didn't see a "Winnie the Pooh" movie. Well, yes, but no.
This is a movie about depression.
Yes. That's what I got from watching it.
First of all, if you plan to see the movie but haven't yet, I'd advise you watch it before reading this review. That way, you can experience the movie for yourself, and see it your own way, instead of seeing it the way I do.
The Stressers
Because of my own emotional struggles since having a child, I decided it'd be worth doing a little research on depression; specifically looking at advice on how to deal with it. The resources I've found discuss some common 'stressers' - life events that can bring on depression - and helpful ways of dealing with it.
And this movie, in many ways, 'reads' like a depression handbook.
We begin with the stressers. The movie flashes through a few scenes that take Chris away from his Hundred Acre Wood and into the 'real world.' And each corresponds to a major stresser.
He is sent off to boarding school (moving, major lifestyle change).
His father dies (loss of a loved one).
He goes off to war (traumatic event).
In addition, the future of the company he works for has been laid on his shoulder, and he is expected to come up with a way to save it from collapsing single-handedly (unrealistic work expectations). (Technically, his boss is supposed to be helping him, but doesn't.)
His wife expresses how she misses the old him and feels she and their daughter are being ignored (marital tension).
And he spends the vast majority of his time in an office building in a busy downtown area (I'll dive more into the nature-deprivation later).
I think one piece of 'evidence' about this being a movie about depression is a seemingly throwaway character who appears in only a few scenes: Christopher's neighbour. This neighbour constantly reminds Robin that he promised to play a game of cards with him sometime; but Chris continues to make excuses as to why it can't be today.
This character exists to showcase the fact that not only can Chris not find time for his family, he can't find time for friends either. His social interactions have been reduced to work-only. This is further shown in a scene where a coworker attempts to start a friendly conversation with him, and Chris ignores the attempt and immediately starts talking about work.
This anti-social lifestyle can only harm him emotionally in the long run.
Thankfully, the movie doesn't leave Christopher Robin there.
The Relief
After establishing the many depression-inducing aspects of Christopher Robin's life, the narrative forces him away from his hectic life - and in doing so, presents him with a few of the advised treatments for handling depression.
He plays. He relaxes. He spends time with old friends. He takes the risk and tells his boss' boss that he was expected to plan the company's new direction all on his own - when realistically, he and his boss should have been sharing the responsibility.
And he takes time to connect with nature.
As someone who also researches conservation and other environmental ethics, its the parts about nature that really stood out to me. Some experts believe that one of the major causes in the rise of depression is that most people now live in cities, disconnected from 'the great outdoors.'
There are so many beautiful nature moments in this movie. The scene that sticks in my memory is where the camera fixates on sunlight trickling through the branches of a tree. The scene exists just to be relaxing, nostalgic.
I mean, it is the Hundred Acre Woods. And woods are nature.
'Connect with nature' and 'go outdoors' may not necessarily be in the depression textbooks - yet - however, I've found it to be a commonly raised suggestion. And this movie presents spending time in nature as a special part of life.
The Conclusion
My husband pointed out that the end of the movie seemed to him like a very Disney, everything-works-out well happy ending - perhaps too much so. I mean, he solves his work problem in the end, and he didn't even need to spend more time on it!
But again, this is psychology in action. And I know that from advice I've received as a creative. His work problem was, in fact, a creative one. And some of the top advice for solving a creative problem: step away from it.
Read Todd Henry's "The Accidental Creative" Chapter 7 if you want to get deeper into this. I'll give you the basic summary: we don't draw creativity out of thin air or working harder. As much as we may like to think otherwise, tests have suggested its true: we put out what we put in. Life experiences, social interactions - these are the actual sources of our creativity.
So him being able to solve the problem only after he'd gone out and had a grand adventure is perfect: it's creativity advice in action.
This movie may be a "Winnie the Pooh" movie. However, in another sense, it's a movie about... well, us. Our society. Our stresses. Our worries. And though it takes place around World War II, it deals with some very modern concerns.
You can enjoy this as a simple, charming tale about fun characters. Or, if you want to think about it on a deeper level, it still stands as an interesting treatise on depression and ways of handling negative emotions.
