Call Me Crazy: A Five Film (2013) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Call Me Crazy consists of five interconnected short films, each telling a separate story about mental illness. The anthology explores different conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD, through distinct characters whose stories subtly connect, creating a cohesive narrative about stigma, healing, and family.

• anthology
• five stories
• short films
• mental illness anthology

The film centers on three core themes: stigma surrounding mental illness and the harm of stereotypes, healing as a nonlinear journey involving therapy and support, and family dynamics as both a source of strength and complication in recovery. Each theme is explored through different character perspectives.

• stigma
• healing
• family
• mental illness themes

Lucy is a law student who battles schizophrenia and is admitted to an inpatient facility. Her story emphasizes agency, resilience, and the possibility of a hopeful future with support from friends, therapists, and medication.

• Lucy
• schizophrenia
• law student
• inpatient treatment

Maggie is a female veteran returning from war who struggles with PTSD and memories of sexual assault. Her storyline explores trauma, resilience, and the challenges of reintegrating into family life after military service.

• Maggie
• PTSD
• veteran
• military trauma

Grace is a teenage girl whose mother grapples with bipolar disorder. Her story highlights how a parent's mood instability shapes adolescence, school life, and family relationships.

• Grace
• bipolar disorder
• teenage
• mother-daughter

Eddie is a comedian whose public charm contrasts with private depressive struggles. His story reveals how depression can affect even those who appear successful and funny on stage.

• Eddie
• depression
• comedian
• mental health

Allison is the eldest daughter who returns home from inpatient treatment, triggering family tensions. Her visit underscores themes of healing, reconciliation, and the ongoing impact of mental illness on family dynamics.

• Allison
• family tension
• reconciliation
• healing

Despite dealing with heavy subject matter, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD, and sexual assault, the film maintains a hopeful tone. Each story emphasizes paths to healing and recovery, with positive resolutions for characters like Lucy finding a promising future.

• hopeful tone
• emotional
• recovery
• mental health film

The film uses a contemporary setting across multiple environments, inpatient psychiatric facilities, family homes, and everyday locations, reflecting the real-world contexts where mental illness is experienced and treated.

• setting
• contemporary
• psychiatric facility
• family home

The five tales are interconnected through shared themes of mental illness and family, with characters whose stories overlap in subtle ways. Three of the stories are more closely linked, requiring attention to character relationships to fully appreciate their connections.

• interconnected stories
• anthology
• character connections