Reel Mental Podcast: Hard Truths

Dear readers (and listeners)

The first time I was on the Real Mental Podcast with host Dr. Marcia Sirota, we debated Pedro Almodóvar’s latest, The Room Next Door (2024), and disagreed about its merits (I was in favor; she was against it). However, when I recently returned, we agreed that there’s a profound interest in human suffering at work in Mike Leigh’s new film, Hard Truths (2024).

As I mentioned in the episode, I couldn’t think of anyone I’d rather discuss this film with than a board-certified psychiatrist. Based in Toronto, Dr. Sirota is a published author, practicing psychiatrist, and host of two podcasts: the Ruthless Compassion podcast about mental health and the Reel Mental podcast, where she combines her knowledge of mental health with her passion for movies.

Hard Truths is a film about depression, trauma, and how people face the world. Our discussion attempts to decipher the volatile, wounded character played by Marianne Jean-Baptiste—in a role we both agree was 2024’s best female performance.

Listen to the episode at the link below or watch here, and be sure to subscribe to Reel Mental.

Check out my other podcast conversations on the Guest Appearances page.

Brian