Personality Assessment of Felix Unger in the Odd Couple
A Personality Assessment of the character Felix Unger in the Movie The Odd Couple
Argosy University
Abstract
This paper analyzes and assesses the personality of the character Felix Unger (played by Jack Lemmon) in the movie, The Odd Couple. The paper starts by offering a synopsis of the movie, which is followed by a description of Mr. Unger, his presenting problem, a mental status examination of him, and a history of Mr. Unger’s background. Next the paper offers a five-axis diagnostic impression of Mr. Unger and rationalization for such diagnoses. The paper develops a case formulation which includes the pathology behind Mr. Unger’s diagnosis and recommendations for treatment. Both the case formulation and recommendations for treatment are validated by empirical research on the disorder and treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder. The paper concludes with a hypothetical analysis of what the author imagines it would be like to work as Mr. Unger’s therapist
SYNOPSIS OF THE ODD COUPLE
Felix Unger (played by Jack Lemmon) is thrown out of his house by his soon to be ex-wife. Despondent, Felix makes a feeble and unsuccessful suicide attempt. When his best friend, Oscar Madison (played by Walter Matthau), gets word of Felix’s attempted suicide he insists that Felix move into his apartment. After all, Oscar is also recently divorced and figures he will enjoy the company. However, after just a few days Felix and Oscar’s differences are drive each other mad. Felix insists on the apartment being exceptionally clean and that routines are followed to the minute. Oscar, on the other hand, longs for the messy apartment and unstructured lifestyle he enjoyed before he allowed Felix to move in. When their differences become too much to handle Oscar orders Felix to leave his apartment and Felix abides without a place to go. As time goes by Oscar begins to feel guilty and worries his now homeless friend may try to commit suicide again. Oscar sets out to find his
Argosy University
Abstract
This paper analyzes and assesses the personality of the character Felix Unger (played by Jack Lemmon) in the movie, The Odd Couple. The paper starts by offering a synopsis of the movie, which is followed by a description of Mr. Unger, his presenting problem, a mental status examination of him, and a history of Mr. Unger’s background. Next the paper offers a five-axis diagnostic impression of Mr. Unger and rationalization for such diagnoses. The paper develops a case formulation which includes the pathology behind Mr. Unger’s diagnosis and recommendations for treatment. Both the case formulation and recommendations for treatment are validated by empirical research on the disorder and treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder. The paper concludes with a hypothetical analysis of what the author imagines it would be like to work as Mr. Unger’s therapist
SYNOPSIS OF THE ODD COUPLE
Felix Unger (played by Jack Lemmon) is thrown out of his house by his soon to be ex-wife. Despondent, Felix makes a feeble and unsuccessful suicide attempt. When his best friend, Oscar Madison (played by Walter Matthau), gets word of Felix’s attempted suicide he insists that Felix move into his apartment. After all, Oscar is also recently divorced and figures he will enjoy the company. However, after just a few days Felix and Oscar’s differences are drive each other mad. Felix insists on the apartment being exceptionally clean and that routines are followed to the minute. Oscar, on the other hand, longs for the messy apartment and unstructured lifestyle he enjoyed before he allowed Felix to move in. When their differences become too much to handle Oscar orders Felix to leave his apartment and Felix abides without a place to go. As time goes by Oscar begins to feel guilty and worries his now homeless friend may try to commit suicide again. Oscar sets out to find his
References: American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 2000. Aycicegi-Dinn, A., Dinn, W.M. (2009) Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Traits: Compensatory Response to Executive Function Deficit? International Journal of Neuroscience, 119, 600-608 Chapman, A.L., Lynch, T.R. (2007) Risk Aversion Among Depressed Older Adults with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder. Cogn Ther Res, 31, 161-174 Hopwood, C.J., Morey, L.C. (2006) Hierarchical relationships between borderline, schizotypal, avoidant and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. Acta Psychiatr Scand, 113, 430-439 McWilliams, N. (1994) Psychoanalytic Diagnosis. New York, NY: Guilford Press Schoenleber, M., Berenbaum, H. (2010) Shame Aversion and Shame-Proness in Cluster C Personality Disorders. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 119, No. 1, 197-205 Simon, W. (2009) Follow-up psychotherapy outcome of patients with dependent, avoidant, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders: A meta-analytic review. International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice, 13(2), 153-165