Veronika Decides to Die (2009)

After a frantic suicide attempt, Veronika awakens inside a mysterious mental asylum. Under the supervision of an unorthodox psychiatrist who specializes in controversial treatment, Veronika learns that she has only weeks to live.

Director:

Emily Young

Writers:

Paulo Coelho (book), Larry Gross

Stars:

Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jonathan Tucker, Erika Christensen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sarah Michelle Gellar	...	Veronika Deklava
Jonathan Tucker	...	Edward
Erika Christensen	...	Claire
Florencia Lozano	...	Dr. Thompson
Rena Owen	...	Nurse Josephine
Erica Gimpel	...	Nurse White
Victor Slezak	...	Gabriel Durant
Barbara Sukowa	...	Mrs. Deklava
Victor Steinbach	...	Mr. Deklava
Melissa Leo	...	Mari
David Thewlis	...	Dr. Blake
Virl Andrick	...	Boss
Jeff Applegate	...	Anti-Pundit
Lisette Bross	...	Work Colleague #1
Matthew Cowles	...	Old Fred

Storyline

The story centers on Veronika, a woman in her mid twenties who appears to have everything: good looks, good job and a great life ahead of her. Yet she decides to end her own life. She is unsuccessful and awakens in a mental hospital where she learns that she has only a short time to live. However in the hospital she meets people who are only 'insane' because they don't always follow society's rules. With little left to lose, Veronika embarks on a journey on which she frees herself to experience relationships and emotions and ultimately discovers what it means to live.

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Plot Keywords:

four word title | female mental patient | mental institution | suicidal | mental hospital | 

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Taglines:

It wasn't until she decided to die, that Veronika found a reason to live

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexual content

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lindsay Lohan had signed on to play Veronika in 2006. The studios had big plans to make it her next big vehicle movie that would appeal to teenagers and be released in early 2007. However, she eventually dropped out to focus on smaller, independent projects, in hopes of establishing herself as a more serious actress. Production then stalled for over a year.

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Quotes

Veronika: [first lines]
Veronika: Well, let's see. After you decide that I'm depressed, or whatever, you'll put me on meds, right? Well I know hundreds of people on them and they're all doing just fine. Really. I'll go back to work on my new anti-depressants, have dinner with my parents and persuade them I'm back to being the normal one who never gives them any trouble. And one day some guy will ask me to marry him. He'll be nice enough. That'll make my parents very happy. The first year we'll make love all the ...

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Connections

Version of Veronika (2009)

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Soundtracks

After Hours
Written by: Lou Reed
Performed by: Jonathan Tucker
Published by: OAKFIELD AVENUE MUSIC LTD (BMI)
Administered by: THE SPIRIT MUSIC GROUP

User Reviews

Well Done

This is a story about a suicidal girl. At first I was enjoying it because I could relate to it. Veronika is institutionalized for wanting to commit suicide. Inside she rebels and tries to reject everyone around her. She plays the piano and this attracts a resident that is usually very solitary. With her music, she seems to reach something inside of him that might help bring him out of his shell. By feeling needed by someone else, we can all see value in our own lives and we can stop living for what we can do for ourselves, but what we can do for others and we can start to see our value and maybe what some of our talents are capable of. Veronika seems to come to these realizations as she explores reaching out to this male resident.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Germany] Official site [South Korea]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 January 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Veronika Decides to Die

Filming Locations:

Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$9,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,709,178

Company Credits

Production Co:

Das Films, Future Films, Muse Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1