Psychology of a Hero: PETER PAN from Hook

How do you find moments of pure happiness in adulthood? What movies have been transformative for you?

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are taking a look at Peter and his family from Hook. This one is special for Jonathan, who shares why this movie, particularly Peter's journey, was so transformative for him. They talk about Peter's fear of failing as a parent and being crippled by stress and anxiety. And they both talk about finding youthful enthusiasm in adulthood. Because it's a Steven Spielberg movie with a John Williams score, of course Alan has a lot to say!

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Cinema Therapy is:
Written by: Megan Seawright, Jonathan Decker, and Alan Seawright
Produced by: Jonathan Decker, Megan Seawright, Alan Seawright, and Corinne Demyanovich
Edited by: Jenna Schaelling
Director of Photography: Bradley Olsen
English Transcription by: Anna Preis

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[trinaq]

Rest in peace, Robin Williams. Thank you for making me laugh, and even cry, throughout my childhood. You'll be forever missed. Also, in most Peter Pan adaptations, the same actor plays Captain Hook and Mr Darling. Here, Peter Pan IS the children's father.

[ElizabethBennet-pres]

As I’ve been following this channel over the years, I’ve realized that Jonathan and Alan aren’t the perfect figures I thought they were, they’ve struggled and are human just like us. Realizing they have flaws and their openness about them doesn’t make me like them ANY LESS, in fact I love them so much more for their vulnerability. Love u guys 🫶

[Valdagast]

You know it's a good episode when Jonathan can't get through the prologue without breaking.

[taylorcarss]

when Peter's son immediately apologizes after being yelled at (4:32) I instantly started crying. This innate fear and need to please your father is something that I have always felt my entire life. I felt like that terrified little girl all over again. I don't speak to my father anymore because it became so detrimental to my mental health. Thank you CT for covering one of my favourite movies of all time.

[sirenlife]

I also like how when Jack is smashing the clocks and releases his issues, it starts as silly kid things like "not letting me blow bubbles in my chocolate milk" or "not letting me jump on my own bed" but descends into actual issue like "making promises and not keeping them"

[courtney]

I want to thank Jonathan for being so vulnerable and honest this episode. Sometimes hearing that the person who seems to have life 100% figured out still experiences these things is reassuring. Also, I’m glad you didn’t give up on the channel as it has helped me work through my own relationships at times. I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is that anger is never the root of the emotion, it’s a symptom of something that needs to be addressed underneath, and viewing our behaviors through that lens helps create better empathy.

[spamachuchan]

I would like a CT with nothing but "what can we learn from Robin Williams?" Just all the movies Robin's been in, and what can we learn from each. Because honestly this man IS therapy.

[Geekus]

Robin Williams set Johnathan’s standards as a therapist in Good Will Hunting and as a father in Hook, and my god did he set my standards in Dead Poet’s Society for what I wanted to be as a teacher. He was so truly one of the most positive figures ever to grace the stage of Hollywood and there’s no way to fathom how many lives he changed with his humor and wisdom.

[smalltownpoetry]

Maybe for Father's day, can we get an episode featuring "a goofy movie?" I think it'd be a great way to talk about parenting styles. Goofy starts out permissive, but by the end is closer to authoritative, and Pete is textbook authoritarian.

[Neekazan]

I know the core of the movie was Peter's transformation, but I also like the transformation Rufio. At first he seemed jealous, but also hoping to find Peter as his hero, and it seemed as though there were the two sides of himself fighting back and forth. I mean, he was the lost boy who filled Peter's shoes when he left. Part of him didn't want to give up that mantle. But the other part was the boy who used to look up to Peter Pan. I think at first he resented him both for leaving and also coming back, but slowly came around to not only looking up to Peter again, but also wanting to truly help him and fight along side him. Dante Basco did a beautiful job portraying all those emotions.

EDIT: I thought I put this in the main part of my post, but, also I get the feeling that Rufio wanted to rally around Peter when the little cutie said, "Oh, there you are Peter!" But the fear that the man before him would let him down kept him from immediately going to him.

[dylanfooler]

I loved loved Maggie Smith as Wendy, especially an older Wendy, the speech Peter gave about 'maybe we do have something in common, we're all orphans' always teared me up, she grew up, and wanted to help children less fortunate

[milo_thatch_incarnate]

I was crying with you, Jonathan 😭. Even though I’m just a 24-year-old girl — I can only imagine what a burden trying to be a good father can be.
This is one of my favorite movies EVER. It makes me cry every single time. I’d be hard-pressed to think of another movie that more perfectly captures childlike joy, wonder, and imagination.

[pauli]

“Robin Williams set my standards for what type of father I want to be” means so much to hear.
As someone who never had a father in my life Robin Williams movies always meant a little more because of how much I wanted him as a father. Your kids are lucky to have you <3

[tslfrontman]

Jumanji was filmed across the road from my school, Thornhill Elementary (with almost 70 students at the time). That mansion was left partially unfinished until filming started.
Robin actually came into the classrooms (because of course he did) to visit the students. Though I didn't get to meet him, I was suddenly hospitalized with croup. I was maybe 5 and it's not an exaggeration to say it's the deepest missed opportunity of my life.

I remember wanting to ask him, something of how he stayed so positive when he (or his characters) always had to struggle with unfair problems. As if our struggles are wronger when they're unfair. Hook and Mrs Doubtfire are still core memories of a strange and traumatic childhood. I'm still upset that he's not here. The Genie's magic will never be topped.

[michellecrocker]

I think that’s the roles where Robin really shined and that was when he was able to portray fatherhood. He brought this heart to it because his dad characters weren’t perfect but he still loved his family and it just meant that there was room for growth.

[greggburklund]

Damn it you guys. I’m a sensitive father of two boys. I didn’t know how much I needed your channel. I love you both and thank you for giving this gift of reflection and remembrance of keeping my inner child free. Especially within this one specific episode. Thank you so much.

[Archeantusable]

My wife is due with our first child in February, after 7 years of trying. The amount of times I thought about the scene where Robin holds his baby and finds his Happy Place has gone though my mind a million times

Edit: thanks guys for liking my comment. This video is literally making me cry in my office. I keep looking at the ultrasounds on my desk and realized my little girl is already my Happy Thought.

[ggpt]

"Neuropathways usually take time, but this was like a bulldozer just right in there." The testimony and transformation of Jonathan by this movie is also worth clinging to, yet it is the quote that impacts me the most. Thank you both for covering Hook.

[maryamshaaban]

Man, it really hit me when Jono cried thinking how his kids were scared of him while he wanted to be their safe place. Because my father ALWAYS relied on fear, and whenever I'd disagree with him, even if I present evidence, he'd just scare me into shutting up. And my mom regrets not treating me the same way because on occasion I stand for myself and point out her abuse (along his)
To them, that's disrespect.

[tracyroweauthor]

So Alan, did you miss the whole "Pan's shadow" thing? The reason Peter originally went into the Darling's bedroom was because he had lost his shadow. When he found it, his shadow was making those kinds of movements on the wall. Also, I love that they flew to England on "Pan Am"