Genres

Visitors Review

drDuya 2012-05-18 06:56:36

an intense film left me trembling......literally

A film that not everybody knows which maybe is a good thing.I will be honest. I only wanted to watch this movie because it wasZooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt's first movie together priorto (500) Days of Summer. I expect Joseph's bright face smiling allthrough the film with no care in the world and Zooey's aura justlightening up the whole set with her beautiful blue-ish, green-ish,grey-ish eyes (frankly, despite practically worshiping her, I don'treally know her eye color). My God was I wrong.This movie made me scared of Gordon-Levitt. Seeing him in (500) Days ofSummer, I thought he was a crazy loony and like every other guy who haswatched (500) Days of Summer, saw ourselves in him. But Lyle, thecharacter he plays is not a pleasant one.I've only seen Zooey Deschanel's big movies like Elf, (500) Days ofSummer, Yes Man etc. and only seen her characters in a more of a calmtype of person. I never seen her in an intense emotion as I did inManic. I felt sympathetic for her character. Also her appearance wasreal just as everyone else in the film. I think they didn't have a makedepartment for the film and I think it was intentional.As for Don Cheadle, he is Don Cheadle, what more can I add? The plot is a roller coaster ride of emotions, most of them practicallybeing negative. Its a psycho thriller that will have you shaking withrage.Overall, the movie is real. The camera is in weird angles and made me alittle dizzy but that's just the effect. Everyone looked greasy butthat's what the intention was. The theme is great, good to anybodyespecially any young adult who is facing issues in life. The ending hasan important symbolism that will have the viewer sorting out his/herlife.

thomasdosborneii 2012-05-17 15:20:21

As Well-Constructed As A Poem

There wasn't a soul working on this film who did not produce brilliant,genuinely communicative work that demonstrates exactly what the art offilmmaking is at its very best. And it was only the very clear and obviousdisplay of such tight creative genius at work that kept reminding me thatthis was actually a film instead of real life recorded at an institution byan inmate with an ever-intrusive video camera. In my life I have knownyouths suffering from the uncontrollable volatility of a rage as extreme asshown in the film, and just as justifiable as their defensive reaction tothe powerful external forces that have waged against them their whole lives. When any biological creature, animal or human, is backed helpless andwounded into a corner, what solution is there other than to bare one's fangsand claws and fight to the death? What can really be done to help peoplelike that get out of their trap, to reverse their ever-spinning deeper intothemselves until they have irretrievably locked themselves into madness? From this film I can see why the same word, madness, is used to describeboth anger and mental illness.Lyle, the lead character vividly realized by actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, wascertainly mad, although his face ingeniously was always comported into anexpression of a questioning sadness and resignation, like he was rathersurprised that life had turned out to be this way. And he was violent,although for those who are squeamish, his violence was never really clearlyshown face-on, but was revealed in an almost subliminal way via quick framesthat suggested a fiery atmosphere of angry voices, relentless punches, andsplatters of blood--this is the world he has lived in externally and now itdemonizes his inner world. And the actor, even when at rest, continued tomaintain the demeanor of a coiled spring so tightly wound that it was awonder his body didn't implosively burst or rip itself apart like a case oftetanus. And yet he was entirely sympathetic, and the groundwork for thatsympathy was laid the very first moment when we met him, getting his woundsdressed in a medical clinic. The camera moved behind him and casuallyrevealed him sitting there in a hospital gown that had fallen open in therear, revealing a vulnerable, skinny back its spinal cord nodules, a smoothback that perhaps his mother when he was a baby or a current lover ought tohave soothingly and reassuringly rubbed, if only there had ever been someonewho had actually loved him.I wondered at an institution that so casually mixed up different patientswith such diverse problems--the criminally violent with those who cut onlythemselves, or the changeably manic with those who have an almost invisibleself-esteem, or, the relentlessly demeaning with those who are deeplysuffering to the point of catatonia or austism. And yet it soon becameclear that beyond the realistic and compassionate guidance of a trulydedicated counselor (played to standing-ovation intensity by Don Cheadle),the only hope for them was to be stimulated into opening their hearts toeach other and in this way discovering meaning beyond their personaldemons.The patients in the adult ward separated from the youths by a chain-linkfence seemed to be irretrievably lost; the freedom of the crows that soonbecame a symbol of flight out their tight corners for the youths, becameonly a mocking crowing absorbed by one of the adults. Madness in thisinstitution metaphorically became a clear, legible story, such as thebeautiful girl who hid herself behind black lipstick and heavy blackeye-liner, or the boy who relentlessly tried to build a house of cards, andyet never seemed to manage to set up the first three.Without a doubt one of the best scenes was a spontaneous mosh pit thaterupted around the playing of a cassette of the Deftones. As I am at leastone whole generation older than kids who would smash around in a mosh pit,it might be easy for me to be repelled by this kind of music and scene, andinstead I am fascinated and can see how perfectly expressive and eitherdangerously visceral or benevolently cathartic such music really is and thisscene in the film, which to me was like a ballet, was enlightening on manylevels. Ultimately, it is clear that the suffering of these youths in themental institution is metaphorical of the suffering that we all experiencein real life and demands a relief of some kind--rage against the machine,indeed.All in all, Manic is a movie for those who truly care about the craft offilm, care about collaborative, creative skill that can come from a work ofthe heart, care about humanity's relief from suffering, and care aboutcompassionate answers for otherwise seemingly unsolvable problems. For allthese reasons, I highly recommend this film.

Matt Anderson 2012-05-17 15:14:30

An honest look at kids who don't "toe the line"

Manic went largely unnoticed after it's 2001 release and remains highlyunderrated. To say the least, Manic is a remarkable achievement in myopinion. It is the most realistic portrayal of a youth psych ward thatI have yet seen on film. It focuses on a group of kids, roughly 12-17years old, who are locked up in a hospital in order to receive"therapeutic healing." None of them are crazy per say, but they allseem to have serious emotional issues (but then again who doesn't?).This film is brutally honest, raw, and sometimes hard to watch. Havingbeen in a similar type of institution myself when I was 17, I can speakhighly for the credibility and accuracy of the content. I have not seenanother movie tackle this subject in such an unflinching realisticmanner. There's no fabricated drama here for the sake of the boxoffice. The sometimes shaky, nontraditional camera work, and the lackof a musical soundtrack (with the exception of when the kids actuallyturn on the radio themselves), make this movie feel more like adocumentary and less like a cinematic feature. Joseph Gordon-Levitt isphenomenal as Lyle Jensen, a ticked off confused kid who can't seem tocontain his rage. Don Cheadle is equally effective as the headCounselor struggling to make a difference in the lives of thesetroubled teens. They couldn't have cast a better man for this role. Heis more than convincing as the lead staff member who realizes that he'sprobably not getting through to these kids at all. I noticed somesimilarities to the movie "One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest," but Manicis far from a remake of that film. I doubt that Manic will become aclassic like "Cuckoo's Nest," but it is certainly an underground hit inmy book. My mother works at an alternative high school for kids withsimilar issues to those in Manic. I showed her Manic and could tell shehad trouble watching it, identifying the characters with both me andher students. Manic is an important film but it's not for everyone.It's definitely on my top ten list. If you want to take a strange tripdown a dark painful path, and see what it is to grow up feeling like a"messed up kid" like I did, then check out Manic for sure. Otherwise,steer clear, you may be disturbed. Then again, aren't we all.

2012-05-17 00:46:49

Very Underated Film

I recently caught this movie on The Movie Channel. I think as it stands the movie was a solid tale filled with surprise performances. I found myself reminded of the novel A Million Little Pieces several times while watching. If you can find this movie at your local video store to rent or at a bargain price point it is worth it the time.

Moira MacDonald 2012-05-05 16:21:37

It's not that the film has much to say about teen mental illness, but that it creates a world of people about whom we suddenly care.

Tom Dawson 2012-05-05 11:04:54

A US indie which borrows from the spirit of the best Dogme films.

moviegeek77 2012-05-03 12:50:47

realistic, surprising good movie

I saw this movie late at night on cable. I was about to flip past itwhen I saw Don Cheadle (the man), so I gave it a chance. It is thestory of Lyle (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who severely injures someoneduring a fight and is sent to a psychiatric facility to work oncontrolling his rage. There we meet several other "troubled teens",including painfully shy rape victim Tracy (Zooey Deschanel), a youngboy who has secretly been molested by his father-and has begun doingthe same to younger children, an artist who craves freedom and thinksdepression fuels brilliance , a wannabe gangsta w/anger managementproblems, and a rich kid w/ manic depression. This story is told insuch a natural style, its more like you are watching footage of a psychward than watching a movie.The ensemble cast was remarkable, with quietly convincing portrayals oftheir characters. Especially noteworthy (aside from Cheadle-that goeswithout saying) were Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel as Lyleand Tracy. Lyle's rage was always just beneath the surface. Even duringthe "happier" scenes, there was always underlying tension. Hisoverwhelming emotions practically came through the screen. Deschanel,as Tracy, projected an air of fragility. Throughout the film, you couldfeel how Lyle was drawn to Tracy and how he needed to protect her. Thismade their argument scene almost too hard to watch. When he was socruel to her and even became violent, it was a wake-up call to Lyle.I also like the fact that there is no happy ending. The movie makes apoint of showing that a person has to make the choice to get better. Aswith real emotional problems, the kids in this movie have set-backs,make progress, and one completely self-destructs. I give this film a 9/10. The camera work was a little off-putting, butnothing major and definitely nothing worth missing this movie over!

Scott Foundas 2012-05-02 21:22:07

Never clearly defines the machine that its malcontent characters ... rage against, or overcomes its deeply embedded psycho-ward-movie clichés.

Ken Fox 2012-04-28 23:15:18

The film doesn't really go anywhere, other than outside for endless games of basketball, and the group-therapy environment allows for far too many young-actor monologues.

2012-04-28 13:31:03

-

Manic is experimental and unique. The acting was superb as was the writing. The characters were believable and not too perfect to seem made up. It was imaginative and creative which means that most of the people who actually do see the movie will not be able to understand or appreciate it completely.

jisherw 2012-04-27 23:19:11

We are all the same

A beautiful film, the kind of movie that stays with you long after youhavefinished watching the last credits roll by (and you will). You findyourself sitting after it is over and just thinking...reflecting on yourownlife. These kids don't seem that much different than you or me, I don'tknow if that is a good or bad thing, but I think it is good.

2012-04-27 17:38:31

Manic

This review is from: Manic (DVD) The movie came fast and i enjoyed it very much. I always have a really good experience buying from amazon. i am never disappointed.

2012-04-27 03:48:18

Sea Sick, Yet Still Docked

After 20 minutes of watching this movie I was completely sea sick. How many movies have been made with a steady cam by a drunken camera operator already? It has been done to death, and no matter how much you move the camera around the acting isn't going to be any better. The distracting camera work and week acting take away from what I feel cold have been a decent movie. Although I like the actors in other things they have done, the entire time watching this movie, I felt as though they lacked something real. They just seamed to be trying too hard.The story line is good, about a kid with some anger problems working in a group with other teens with similar issues, who are completely different from one another, much like "Breakfast Club meets One Flew Over..." It is real life, and what many kids go through. I just wish it would have been done in a way where the story was the focal point, not the cliché early 2000's style of camera work. This movie will NOT stand the test of time. It wasn't worth the time to watch it.

Rich Cline 2012-04-26 11:10:47

There are several disturbing twists and turns as the film progresses, but it sometimes feels like a checklist of teen issues, not truthful storytelling.

Eugene Novikov 2012-04-21 20:05:00

Avoids the common pitfalls of the genre, instead giving us an intense character study supplemented by a supporting cast of characters, not vague stereotypes.

GormanBechard 2012-04-21 08:17:53

A teenaged One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

This is a great movie, by a VERY talented first time director, which grabsyou from the brilliant opening credit sequence and never lets go. Thisfilmworks on so many different levels, I don't understand how it was sooverlooked by the arthouse crowd.The performances, the miniDV cinematography, the score( by Thurston MooreofSonic Youth)...the script, about troubled teens, mostly with angermanagement and/or home abuse issues...it's all right on the money.Kudos especially to Don Cheadle who's proved himself to be one of ourgreatest and most underappreciated actors. This one section of jump cutswhere he's questioning the kids and finally questioning himself is as goodapiece of acting as I've seen in a while.Buy it or rent it...JUST WATCH IT. You won't be sorry.

2012-04-20 07:46:26

Moving Film

I was in a psych ward earlier in my youth for a short time and so i have some experience in a place such as the one that this film takes place although it didn't have a teen ward where people of a similar age group stayed instead all ages were just thrown together unlike in this film.the film which is about a teen played by joseph gordon-levitt (who has come a long way from his days on 3rd rock from the sun) who finds himself in a downward rage filled spiral that eventually leads him (by way of a vicious beating with a baseball bat) to what i would describe as a new age psych ward... i say "new age" or "experimental" because it seems to be more about therapy and discovery rather than your typical throw someone in a facility and dope him/her up and nothing much else which is the way most normal places are... this place however tries to really help the troubled teens breakthrough their own troubles and look within themselves to try and deal with things and try and look at life in a different way... the head guy in charge is played by don cheadle who is always solid.the story basically follows gordon-levitt as he goes through life in the psych ward.. and the people he meets and his struggle with everything.the cast who portrays the group of troubled teens does good job at presenting the viewer with the type of people one would find in such an experience... one not familiar with the subject i think would believe that in such a place it is just a bunch of complete psychos biting their own hands and mumbling about president lincoln which isn't true for the most part... you will find all types of people from the severe to the slightly disturbed to the person who may be dealing with alot at that time but eventually would get through it and i think the way it was done in presenting this type of balance was good to see.i came away very moved from the story and i think that's the sign of a good film if you are touched in some way after it fade's to black.. if you come way moved like where you feel the need to come on amazon and write your feelings on what you just experienced hehe... so ya i think it did what it set out to do.i especially thought michael bacall's performance was great (he also cowrote the story) and i very much liked the ending and was really touched by how the girl's painting matched with the bus i felt all tingly when that hit me.so go out and rent or buy this and give it a chance maybe you will like it.. maybe you won't all i can say is i did.

Frederick M 2012-04-19 19:03:44

Not very realistic

Manic wasn't a good film but it wasn't a horrible film either. Thereare many problems with this movie. If there's a few problems with amovie I can usually overlook them but Manic had far too many to justdismiss them. They bothered me the entire movie, especially since theywere used to manipulate the audience and advance the plot.Why would a psychiatric ward be co-ed, especially when some of theteenagers are seventeen and some are thirteen? And Joseph GordonLevitt's character had access to the women's rooms without any problem?That seems kind of ridiculous. If he's a sociopath what's to stop himor anyone else from raping the girls? I also noticed that there wereadults in the yard with the teenagers. I don't think that would beallowed. In all likelihood the minors would have absolutely no accessto anyone of the opposite sex or anyone over the age of 18 who was alsoa patient. This movie was self-indulgent tripe. It's too bad because I likeJoseph-Levitt as an actor but all the characters were completelyone-dimensional. Anarchy guy, Wigger guy, Goth girl. It was completelyignorant of teenagers and mental illness. What the hell did this haveto do with being manic or mania or bipolar disorder? Joseph-Levitt wasa sociopath. It was just more ultra-cool, hand-held, uber-indie tripe.Indie films used to be good before all this self-indulgent crap startedcoming out like Garden State.Manic kind of comes across as a corporate public relations bulletin forteens. This is what we think you are. It couldn't have been any morewrong.

2012-04-13 11:05:52

a teenaged One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

This is a great movie, by a VERY talented first time director, which grabs you from the brilliant opening credit sequence and never lets go. This film works on so many different levels, I don't understand how it was so overlooked by the arthouse crowd. The performances, the miniDV cinematography, the score...the script...it's all right on the money. Buy it or rent it...JUST WATCH IT. You won't be sorry.

eden052383 2012-04-13 03:16:30

Wow

What I like about this film is that it doesn't try to be overlyoptimistic in order to make you believe that everyone turns outalright. This particular formula of a bunch of teenagers in apsychiatric ward may have been used many times before in other films,but this one leaves me with the greatest impression. Yes, everyone hasdifficult problems to get through in their lives, but it's how certainpeople deal with them that makes them end up in situations like this.So many things discussed by the group and even the counselor ring true.It's no surprise that extras were actual young people who've been inpsychiatric care sometime in their lives. Even so, Gordon-Levitt does aphenomenal job of being someone who struggles deeply with his emotionsand his past.