The inspiring true story of Eleanor Riese, a mental illness patient herself, who brings a class action suit to give competent mental patients the right to have a say in their medication while they're in a hospital, and Colette Hughes, the lawyer appointed to her case.
Acting
Bonham Carter's unhinged brilliance meets Swank's restrained fire.
Writing
Dialogue that makes legal jargon feel like poetry.
Director
Bille August
Helena Bonham Carter
Eleanor Riese
Hilary Swank
Colette Hughes
Jeffrey Tambor
Mort Cohen
Johan Heldenbergh
Robert
Michael Culkin
Judge Farelly
Tim Plester
Robbie
Jonathan Kerrigan
Dr. Bardy
Vincent Riotta
James Adams
Anneika Rose
Margie
Richard Riddell
Arno
AnnaCorey
Tiff - Jogger
Richard Laing
Ben Clandon
Tim Ahern
Radio Host
Florence Bell
Karen Winkle
Angelique Fernandez
Friendly Nurse
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real Eleanor Riese's case established landmark patient rights in California—this actually happened in 1989, not ancient history.
The film quietly critiques how 'competency' is defined by institutions, a debate still raging in disability rights today.
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