Prozac Nation poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Christina Ricci, Jason Biggs, Anne Heche, Michelle Williams, Jonathan Rhys Meyers ... see more see more... , Jessica Lange , Nicholas Campbell , Lou Reed , Sheila Paterson , Zoe Miller , Emily Perkins , Ian Tracey , Jesse Moss

Following up his critically acclaimed debut Insomnia (1997), Norwegian director Erik Skjoldbjaerg makes his first English-language feature with this adaptation of the book by Elizabeth Wurtzel. Christ... read more read more...ina Ricci stars as Lizzie, a prize-winning student heading off to Harvard where she intends to study journalism and launch a career as a rock music critic. However, Elizabeth's fractured family situation including an errant father (Nicholas Campbell) and a neurotic, bitterly hypercritical mother (Jessica Lange) has led to a struggle with depression. When her all-night, drug-fueled writing binges and emotional instability alienate her roommate and best friend, Ruby (Michelle Williams), as well as both her first (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) and second (Jason Biggs) boyfriends, Lizzie seeks psychiatric counseling from Dr. Diana Sterling (Anne Heche), who prescribes the wonder drug Prozac. Despite success as a writer that includes a gig writing for Rolling Stone and some mellowing out thanks to her medication, Lizzie begins to feel that the pills are running her life and faces some tough choices about her future. Prozac Nation (2001) is a longtime dream project of star Ricci, who also serves as one of the film's co-producers. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Flixster Users

60% liked it

20,405 ratings

Critics

26% liked it

23 critics

R, 1 hr. 39 min.

Directed by: Erik Skjoldbjaerg

Release Date: March 19, 2005

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: July 5, 2005

Get It:

Stats: 1,134 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Beautiful.
Upload a Photo | View All Prozac Nation Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (1,134)

  • puffchunk
    March 20, 2008
    puffchunk
    Okay if you like depressing movies about people who are completely self destructive. Personally, I knew too many of them in high school to want to spend another 2 hour with them.
  • MovieGeek13
    June 14, 2007
    MovieGeek13
    Ricci is fabulous, but the film is like a two hour complaint.
  • gator681
    April 12, 2006
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]"Prozac Nation" starts out in the 1980's when Elizabeth Wurtzel(Christina Ricci) is being driven to Harvard University for freshman orientation by her mother(Jessica Lange).(Elizabeth is attending on a journalism scholarship and has already had an article pub... read morelished in Teen Magazine about her father whom she has not seen in four years.) Once at college, she lives a normal life, makes a best friend, Ruby(Michelle Williams), and loses her virginity. Elizabeth gains fame, an award, and the attention of Rolling Stone magazine for writing a piece on a Lou Reed(Lou Reed) concert. In trying to top her early success, she develops a massive case of writer's block in trying to write an article on Bruce Springsteen(academics have had the same problem for decades...). Thus leading to a downfall through alcohol, drugs and some seriously antisocial behavior.[/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic]"Prozac Nation" is a self-important movie about a self-centered person. Removing the narration would have helped in moving around some of the focus. To make matters worse, the movie is based on Elizabeth Wurtzel's own experiences but provides a decided lack of insight into mental illness or anything else for that matter. [/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic]Christina Ricci gives a wooden performance in the lead and sadly might be incapable of delivering sarcasm.(Zooey Deschanel would have been a vast improvement.) Surprisingly, Jessica Lange disappoints in a completely over-the-top performance. But there is fine support supplied by Michelle Williams, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Jason Biggs and Anne Heche.[/font]
  • Fascade518
    March 27, 2011
    Fascade518
    A depressant's nightmare based upon a true story. A young woman's adventure into coming to grips with her parent's divorce, being comfortable with herself as she goes through her freshman year in College and eventually working for Rolling Stone Magazine...despite the anguish she ... read morewent through...finding help through therapy...the anguish the heartbreak is all portrayed exceptionally well by Christina Ricci. See this it is really good. Plus the way Christina narrates her journey is incredible.
  • xas5
    January 20, 2011
    xas5
    More of a lifetime movie, than the generation capstone it was trying to portray. The performances are melodramatic and repetitious. Even the quality of the film comes off 10 years older than it actually should be. Could have used some more grit!
  • irisheyes686
    October 16, 2010
    irisheyes686
    Coming from someone who suffers from depression, this movie really hit home for me. While I have not endured episodes nearly as bad as hers, I could definitely relate to many parts of the movie and Ricci's character.
  • SunilJawahir
    May 28, 2008
    SunilJawahir
    I waited for 2 years for this movie to come out on DVD and it was pretty great.
  • shutterbug99
    April 5, 2008
    shutterbug99
    My all time favourite book, but not my all time favourite movie. I really wanted this to be a great movie! Ricci puts her all into it, and she shines as Wurtzel, but overall the movie doesn't work. The boyfriends were entirely mis-cast. They didn't work at all, and the overall... read more feeling of the book didn't crossover to the movie.
  • FanadFilmsProduction
    April 21, 2007
    FanadFilmsProduction
    Nice tits on Christina, but other than that...
  • liquidstone14
    December 11, 2006
    liquidstone14
    A dark, mean and depressing movie that can sometimes look unfinished but will linger in your head for days. Christina Ricci offers one of her most solid performances.

View All Prozac Nation Reviews

Critic Reviews

Todd McCarthy
January 5, 2007
Todd McCarthy, Variety

The self-centered brat at the center of Prozac Nation spends most of her time making life miserable for everyone around her, but there's little reason the public should have to pay for the same privil... Full Review

Robert Denerstein
March 4, 2005
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

Ninety-eight minutes of this movie and you may find yourself reaching for Prozac or the antidepressant of your choice. A cheap shot, to be sure, but the movie earns it.

Michael Booth
March 4, 2005
Michael Booth, Denver Post

Truly depressing, a dark, mean and screechy film that still looks half-finished after years on the shelf. Full Review

James Berardinelli
March 11, 2003
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

In portraying Elizabeth Wurtzel, Ricci displays range, depth, and courage. Full Review

Kirk Honeycutt
September 12, 2001
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter

[Ricci's] performance as a Harvard undergrad battling clinical depression compels your attention every moment she is on screen.

Dennis Schwartz
May 29, 2010
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

It should be no surprise that a flick about depressives turns into a depressing film. Full Review

Rob Gonsalves
September 22, 2007
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

Ricci commits fully, driven to bring Wurtzel's demons to life. Full Review

Scott Tobias
January 5, 2007
Scott Tobias, AV Club

There's really no reservoir of sympathy deep enough to support a whiny, navel-gazing Harvard student who turns her depression into a show-stopping spectacle. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
May 26, 2006
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

The film avoids disease-of-the-week sentimentality with Ricci's calm, reasoning voice-over juxtaposing her erratic behavior; she realizes what she's doing but just can't stop. Full Review

Rory L. Aronsky
September 28, 2005
Rory L. Aronsky, Film Threat

Outside of Ricci, everything's been sucked out to a bland finish. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Girl, Interrupted
    Girl, Interrupted (82%)
  • Rachel Getting Married
    Rachel Getting Married (57%)
  • High Art
    High Art (100%)
  • Running With Scissors
    Running With Scissors (75%)

More Movies like Prozac Nation

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
    • Elizabeth Wurtzel: I slave* myself for you to go to Harvard so that you can come back looking like a ZOMBIE** *when she says slave she swallows her saliva. **while she says zombie she flexes her muscles and practised this form to show the audience she is a furious mother.
Submit a Fact | View All

Prozac Nation : Watch Free on TV

Prozac Nation Trivia

  • What movie did Christina Ricci star in which was based on the book with the same title about Elizabeth Wurtzels struggle with depression?  Answer »
  • Christina Ricci, Jason Biggs, Jessica Lange and Michelle Williams all star in? (Name The Movie)   Answer »
  • what christina ricci movie opens with her naked sitting up on a bed?  Answer »
  • Who was not in the movie Prozac Nation?  Answer »
More Prozac Nation Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add Prozac Nation to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?