Manic
(2004)
|
Jordan Melamed's directorial debut is a strikingly honest depiction of life in a juvenile mental ward. Following a disturbing and violent fight at school, Lyle (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is admitted--against his will--to Northwoods Mental Institution. There he joins a group of troubled teens: withdrawn Tracey (Zooey Deschanel); bipolar Chad (Michael Bacall); rebellious Sara (Sara Rivas); confrontational Michael (Elden Henson); and fragile Kenny (Cody Lightning). At Northwoods, Lyle must decide if he will allow his rage to rule his life, or if he is willing to find the source of his anger and work through it. Like all of the patients, he is on a painful journey of self-discovery that may ultimately save him from himself. Don Cheadle stars as the resident psychiatrist who works tirelessly to break through to his charges and give them hope. Shot in digital video, the film often evokes the feel of a documentary, an effect enhanced by the emotional, raw performances of the actors. Cheadle and Bacall give particularly memorable performances, and Gordon-Levitt is riveting in a role that is a far cry from the lovable alien he played on the sitcom THIRD ROCK FROM THE SUN. |
First-time director Jordan Melamed tips his hat to the Dogme school of film-making with this gruelling exploration of teen psychosis. Shot on hand-held digital video, this naturalistic feature strives for documentary-style reality. The loose story unfolds in the adolescent wing of a psychiatric institution, where 17-year-old Lyle (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) has been sent after viciously attacking a classmate. Under the watchful eye of recovering drug addict Dr Monroe (an impressive Don Cheedle), Lyle and his fellow patients confront their personal demons during group therapy. The subsequent outpourings and repercussions run the gamut of emotions, as the youngsters tragically switch from boredom and apathy, to hyper-activity and violence. However, though the performances are accomplished, the film remains sterile and tediously banal. Melamed tries too hard to be cutting-edge, while his characters never develop beyond their stereotypes. Still it's refreshing to be spared the rose-tinted salvation of films such as Girl, Interrupted, even if this would have benefited from more heart and a tighter script.