Coffee Break: Movies

How movies and television shows portray science and medicine

Bryant: Welcome to another coffee break Bryant here with Ray and Chloe. Today we’re going to talk about movies! Do people watch movies anymore in the theater?

Chloe: I think people do when they feel connected to the movie. Barbie and Oppenheimer, the so-called Barbenheimer, was a good example of that.

Bryant: So did you watch both?

Chloe: I only watched Barbie.

Bryant: That’s interesting, I was the reverse. I watched Oppenheimer in the theater and Barbie at home.

Bryant: Ray. What have you seen? Have you seen Oppenheimer or anything?

Ray: No, I haven't had the opportunity to watch it yet.

Bryant: Wow! See, maybe people aren't watching movies in theaters. Do you watch streaming movies, Ray?

Ray: Yes, I think I mainly wait until the movies hit the streaming platforms and then watch it from there because it's a lot more convenient.

Bryant: See? This may be the death of Hollywood. But what does this have to do with the medical humanities? Well, there's a lot of medicine in movies. For instance, in our class, Storytelling Medicine, we had the good fortune of having Wayne Wang come to our class and talk about the Last Holiday, a movie he did with Queen Latifah. In a clip he shared, Queen Latifah was diagnosed with this fictitious brain disease called Lampington Syndrome. This movie describes two doctors and a comedic aspect of medicine. Do you guys remember any medical topics in movies or TV shows that stuck out to you?

Chloe: Scrubs feel the most accurate. But I think the one that I enjoy watching with my family now is Royal Pains, which we've previously discussed on Panacea. I just find it so interesting that you can create entire plotlines out of medical mysteries. 

Bryant: It’s sort of like a house but more dramatic. Ray, have you heard of House?

Ray: I’ve seen some clips of House that have been circulating on social media. I think it’s one of the main glimpses into the medical world that I have as a prospective student. I’m not quite sure how realistic it is, but it provides a perspective on the everyday life of a doctor and their work environment. 

Chloe: One show that just came to mind right now is Virgin River, which isn't even focused on medicine. The main character, a nurse, escapes her past and moves to the middle of nowhere in Northern California, where her skills are highly needed. However, the family doctor there refuses help, yet gradually the nurse starts aiding everyone in the town. Although the TV show isn't marketed as a medical series and is more for those seeking rural escapism, I find it amusing that in every episode, due to the main character being a nurse, someone with a rare diagnosis pops up in this small town of around 200 people. For instance, someone falls in love with a girl, and they wish to start a life together, but he reveals he can't due to having Huntington's disease. It struck me as odd because it's such a rare disorder, a neurocognitive one that affects younger generations. It felt peculiar to encounter such a medical scenario in this context.

Bryant: Yeah, I guess that's sort of the plot. It's a plot device in the show, enabling them to show the drama of different characters. This makes me think of a show on Netflix called Resident Alien. I've been watching it on the recommended list. It's hilarious, with a medical aspect. An alien comes down to Earth, with a mission to destroy it. But he runs into a small-town doctor, takes over his identity, and pretends to be this small-town doctor. It's funny with comedic events, but also realistic about how people approach their doctor. If you haven't seen it, I recommend it. You don't have to be a sci-fi person to enjoy it. Ray, do you have any recommendations? 

Ray: My favorite science-related movie has always been Interstellar. I'm a big Christopher Nolan fan since I grew up watching Batman movies. To this day, I feel like I've never seen anything like it—I haven't come across a better, well-crafted scientific fiction story. I haven’t seen Oppenheimer yet, so maybe this new movie might be better.

Bryant: It differs quite a bit from Oppenheimer, which adopts a biopic style. The use of graphics and portrayal of science in Oppenheimer is intriguing. I'm curious about your thoughts on how they depict science in Interstellar. The concept of traveling into a black hole and exploring different dimensions is immersive, isn't it? Did you find it believable, or were you skeptical? Did it engage you in the story, or did you find it somewhat absurd? Nolan's execution is impressive.

Ray: I think the uncertainty of what occurs in a black hole provides Nolan with a lot of creative freedom. When Cooper enters the black hole, it is well executed because every part of the movie seems interconnected. I rewatched it with my parents over winter break, and upon seeing it again, I realized how seamlessly everything ties together, especially from the moment he enters the black hole and starts exploring his daughter's room.

Bryant: I love that movie and have seen it many, many times. I enjoy all of Christopher Nolan's movies. Chloe, what did you think about the science as portrayed in Interstellar?

Chloe: I like it when movies pay at least some attention to science; it just makes it more enjoyable and believable. Granted, not every single scientific fact in Interstellar was probably accurate. When it comes to medical TV shows like Scrubs, if a procedure isn't done realistically, it bothers me. There's a little voice at the back of my head saying, "That's not right." I know if I mentioned it, I'd end up annoying everyone around me. So, I'm glad there's some level of accuracy in Interstellar. 

Bryant: I enjoyed Interstellar's depiction of time dilation. You know, when they visit the water planet, and time passes differently there. It's fascinating how their colleague ages significantly during their brief visit. Then, when they return, he's much older, and it's intriguing to see him reunite with his daughter, who's now older than him. Christopher Nolan is renowned for his portrayal of time, and this aspect adds depth to the movie. So, I've been thinking, should we start a podcast or YouTube channel where we analyze the science in movies? We could invite experts to discuss scenes and provide insights. What do you guys think? With so many science fiction movies out there, we'd have endless material to explore. 

Chloe and Ray: [nod in agreement]

Bryant: Well, consider this our announcement! Thanks for joining us this week, and if you have any suggestions for future coffee breaks, let us know.