Films About Illnesses – A Curated Collection

Description: Based on Oliver Sacks' memoir, the film tells the story of a doctor who discovers the effects of L-DOPA on catatonic patients, awakening them from their long-term stupor.

Fact: Robert De Niro and Robin Williams both received Academy Award nominations for their performances. The film is based on real events from the 1960s.

Description: This film is about a couple who search for a cure for their son's rare genetic disorder, adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), highlighting the lengths parents will go to save their child.

Fact: The real-life parents of Lorenzo Odone, who the film is based on, were involved in the production. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards.

Description: One of the first mainstream Hollywood films to acknowledge HIV/AIDS, it follows a lawyer who sues his firm for wrongful termination due to his illness.

Fact: Tom Hanks won an Oscar for Best Actor, and the film was nominated for Best Picture. It was also one of the first films to address AIDS-related discrimination.

Description: Based on the memoir by Jean-Dominique Bauby, this film depicts his life after suffering a massive stroke that left him with locked-in syndrome, able to communicate only by blinking his left eye.

Fact: The film was shot from Bauby's perspective, with the camera often representing his point of view. It won the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Description: The film chronicles the life of Ron Woodroof, who smuggled unapproved pharmaceutical drugs into Texas to treat his AIDS, forming a "buyers club" to distribute them.

Fact: Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto won Oscars for their roles. The film was critically acclaimed for its portrayal of the AIDS crisis.

Description: A medical thriller that examines the spread of a deadly virus and the global response to it, offering a realistic portrayal of a potential epidemic.

Fact: The film was noted for its scientific accuracy and was consulted by experts in epidemiology. It saw a resurgence in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Description: This adaptation of John Green's novel follows two teenagers with cancer who fall in love, exploring themes of life, love, and mortality.

Fact: The film was a commercial success, grossing over $300 million worldwide. It was praised for its honest depiction of living with cancer.

Description: This biographical drama focuses on the life of physicist Stephen Hawking, particularly his relationship with his wife Jane, and his battle with motor neuron disease.

Fact: Eddie Redmayne won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Hawking. The film was also nominated for Best Picture.

Description: This film follows Alice Howland, a linguistics professor diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, exploring the emotional and psychological effects on her and her family.

Fact: Julianne Moore won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Alice. The film was praised for its realistic portrayal of Alzheimer's.

Description: This film tells the true story of Christy Brown, an Irishman born with cerebral palsy who could control only his left foot. It's a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome physical limitations.

Fact: Daniel Day-Lewis won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Christy Brown. The film was also nominated for Best Picture.