Manic is one of the better independent films produced in the past decade. The film follows Lyle (Joseph Gordon Levitt) as he is institutionalized for manic psychotic episodes. The performances, Levitt, Cheadle, and Deschanel, are quite good and Levitt is very convincing as a manic psychotic. The filming, though some might find the shaky camera annoying, is good and the lighting is interesting as well. The most striking characteristics of the film besides performance are the character development and the ability of the film to translate emotion. Also the film has a very inconclusive but realistic ending, is edited well, especially in the beginning, as we learn what is happening to Lyle and the realities of his temper, and is topically salient. Overall, this film has few flaws, a bit short and under-produced, but a must-see if you have any interest in psychology or have any experience with psychosis.Read full review
This film, with the usual excellence from both Don Cheadle and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, is itself a bipolar rendition of life inside the walls of a private rehab center. While it is unknown what actually caused many of the kids to land here, one thing is common among them -- intense emotional disturbance, much of it resulting in violence. The scenes are rendered in a faux documentary style which gives it an in-the-present feel -- although the mechanical faux handheld thing is both cliche now and dizzying to watch (when will filmmakers learn to either abandon this or use real live handheld?). The plot conflict involves Cheadle, as a conflicted therapist, trying to reach Gordon-Levitt, comitted by his mother after nearly killing a classmate. Gordon-Levitt refuses to believe he belongs there, but slowly is immersed in the setting in such depth that he finds he cannot escape, that it becomes the sole place he can deal with, and that can deal with him. At times intense, at times leaving you stunned at the lack of responsible adults, the film veers between genius and totaly unnecessary deus ex machina. The real value of the film is in the shattering performance of Gordon-Levitt, the wrenching conflict of Cheadle, the strength of the characters and their development, and the rather real depiction of life in the day of one of these centers.Read full review
This film was shot on a low budget with a big budget brain. I bought this to add to my film collection and to write a graduate level paper about group counseling. The film portrays teenage characters in various stages of mental distress in an institutional setting. Without giving away too much about the film, it flows more like an indie type film than a high budget Hollywood thriller, however, the end is worth the ride. It reminds me of the 1960's French and Italian films in that something huge happens in the begining, not so much in the middle, and another surprise in the end. A wonderful edition to any film lover's collection and anyone who is into studying what makes the mind tick.
Good movie and soundtrack, extras and commentary make it better than YouTube.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Great movie and great actors. Bought it as a christmas present hope he likes it. The movie is what it is. It is about a group of kids that are crazy for different reasons and you get an inside look at a mental ward.
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