Why Hollywood Should Dedicate More Movies to the Lives of Great Minds Struggling with Disease

If Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla, or any other genius were simultaneously grappling with an incurable degenerative disease, would Hollywood take note and create a box office movie about their lives? This question prompts us to reflect on how the entertainment industry often portrays the struggles and achievements of brilliant minds.

The Modern Hollywood Myth

While Hollywood excels in crafting compelling narratives that can touch the hearts and minds of audiences, there is a frequent tendency to simplify and sanitize stories. Contemporary Hollywood movies often present a rosy and overly simplistic view, glossing over the challenging realities faced by individuals. For instance, the faithful rendition of John Nash's life in the film 'A Beautiful Mind' has fueled a broader public interest, but did it truly capture the full extent of his suffering, or was the tribulation “airbrushed” for the sake of a coherent and uplifting story?

The Reality of Struggle: Hollywood's Obliviousness

Take, for example, the life of Lou Gehrig, the renowned baseball player who succumbed to a deadly disease. Hollywood occasionally touches on the struggles of such individuals, but does it delve into the darker aspects of their journeys? Do these films go beyond feel-good narratives to explore the emotional and physical toll of terminal illnesses? Unfortunately, the answer in many instances is no.

America Through Hollywood's Lens: A Puzzle

American history, especially the experiences of the "greatest generation" during World War II, often presents a narrative of resilience and triumph. Yet, Hollywood frequently portrays this period with a veneer of tact and glamour, painting a picture that may be perceived as overly idealized. Consider the aftermath of traumatic events, such as witnessing an air raid or ending up injured or dead. The transition to civilian life and the realization of the 'American Dream' seems almost miraculous in many of these movies, offering an unrealistic perspective that contrasts with the harsh realities faced by these heroes.

The Films That Matter: Stanley Kubrick and 'Paths of Glory'

Among the rare exceptions, Stanley Kubrick's 'Paths of Glory' stands out for its raw and unflinching portrayal of war. Similarly, films like 'Fourteen Days' and 'Hacksaw Ridge' have managed to capture the gritty reality of wartime experiences, providing a sobering contrast to the more sanitized narratives of modern Hollywood. However, these exceptions do not constitute the norm, and the industry as a whole often steers away from the darker aspects of human existence, especially those experienced by brilliant and often misunderstood individuals.

The Case of Krazy Kat

Another layer of complexity is added by the pop culture phenomenon of 'Krazy Kat.' How did this intelligent and sophisticated comic strip find a popular audience in America? A possible explanation lies in the "splitting" concept from psychoanalysis—it may be that Krazy Kat resonated with a niche audience while remaining too sophisticated for the general public to fully appreciate. George Herriman, the creator, found support from patrons like William Randolph Hearst, but the puzzle remains: how did a comic strip manage to captivate a certain segment of the population without becoming a mainstream staple?

Conclusion

When a genius like Albert Einstein or Nikola Tesla, facing the challenge of a degenerative disease, emerges as a subject for Hollywood, the entertainment industry should aim for authenticity. The lives of these individuals were marked not only by their achievements but also by their struggles, and their stories deserve to be told in a manner that honors both their brilliance and their humanity. By embracing the full spectrum of human experience, Hollywood could create films that not only entertain but also educate and inspire a deeper understanding of the lives of great minds.