Diagnosing Depressives in Popular Film

Jan. 25, 2011

By Jimmy Chen info

Jimmy Chen writes essays, criticism, and satire. He also contributes at HTMLGIANT, among other places, and ...

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Mr. Miyagi (in Karate Kid II)

Overview: In the original Karate Kid, Mr. Miyagi was a great role model for Daniel-”son,” really funny, mellow, and fun to be around, despite the at-the-time confusing and seemingly extreme Nazi-esque “wax on/wax off” regiment; but in its sequel (part 2 of 3 in a rather tepid “trilogy”), he majorly freaks out—in, of all places, Japan—dealing with unresolved grievances in his hometown, trouble with his immediate family, and stirred up emotions regarding his deceased wife. He’s a real emotional tampon in this movie, but has accrued major “empathy collateral” from the first movie, so the viewer gives Mr. Miyagi a pass. We’re like “okay, you obviously got some issues to deal with, but please, you better return to being chill in KK III, if they even make one,” which, unfortunately, they did.

Diagnosis: Bipolar disorder.

Suggested Medication: Lithium, psychotherapy.

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  • http://popserial.tumblr.com stephen

    lol

  • adamhump

    no google results for “empathy collateral”… interestingly
    also, isn't an emotional tampon the person that receives the emo / world pain of another, not he who dishes?

  • Gerry Rice

    good job, jimmy chen!

  • andy moreno

    damn i love ur writing jimmy chen

  • joakim

    killed it again

  • http://newhandsweepstakes.com/writings/the-last-acid-trip-damned-by-god-by-brian-mcelmurry/ Brian McElmurry

    Well done. Funny and made me sad. Loved the Edward Scissorhands

  • al

    Wendy Caroll's “diagnosis” struck me as offensively sexist. A menstrual joke was all you could conjure up for the only female, really? And here I thought indie-lectuals had wit.

    • LA

      Excuse me but Jimmy Chen is Asian, not Indielectual (whatever that is)

    • http://jimmychenchen.com/ Jimmy Chen

      it's all splooge and pms jokes for M and F respectively, yet for the latter it's sexist…interesting; but i like 'indie-lectuals,' great sound spin.

      • d.

        I agree. I think if you are to complain of sexism the fact only one female character made the list is is the point to focus on.

      • http://jimmychenchen.com/ Jimmy Chen

        omg when i wrote this, i was aware there was only one woman, and wrote a bunch of others (kathy bates in misery, piano teacher [which i already done entire thing on], nicole kidman in various, julianne moore in magnolia, etc. ) to even out the ratio, but they were strained and not intuitive. I'm a guy, so naturally i relate to guys more, that's not sexism; also, i'm confused, b/c the tone of the post was sarcastic and somewhat abrasive, so to direct my [rhetorical] derision at men seems 'un-sexist,' as sexism implies against, or dismissive of women. i get subdued when people extract political agendas which do not exist from my posts.

  • Renee

    Bipolar? Not at all. Bipolar would mean crazy manic highs of promiscuity, lack of sleep, increased energy, etc. and depressed lows. Not just being chill and then when faced with a past traumatic experience freaking out. That isn't bipolar… at all. In any way.
    Try PTSD maybe. Bipolar is just so off the mark.

  • Friedmansteinberg

    you're a fucking asshole.

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