Manic

This movie, Manic, is the first movie in a long time that I was eager to watch. I know it was released back in 2003 or 2004, and I've seen the movie case at video stores but never bothered to look and see what it was about. Well, you know on those really lazy days when there seems to be nothing to do, and you're just flipping through the channels on TV desperately trying to find something to watch? On one of those days, I saw a movie coming on entitled "Manic", and I figured due to the title it may have something to do with manic depression, (which would make the movie interesting since I have it), so I decided to hit the information button to get a plot sypnosis. It sounded good so I watched it. I'm glad I did.The movie is centered around Lyle (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a teen who had an abusive father and has a huge anger problem. From the beginning, you hear noises that sound like someone being beaten, which is exactly what's happening, as Lyle beats another teen across the head with a baseball bat at a game, and you learn that the teen he beats has to get his jaw wired shut. These actions get him a place in a psychiatric ward, seeing as he needed help controlling his anger and his self-abuse, as he also cut himself and sometimes burned himself with cigarettes.The other teens at the ward are very realistic with their problems. Chad (played by Michael Bacall) is suffering with depression and also has a cutting problem. Another teen, Kenny, was sexually abused and as a result molested young children himself. One girl, Tracy, has terrifying nightmares that make her scream when she tries to sleep. Mike is a teen who in his own words, likes to smoke, drink, and likes to fight. Sara is a girl who also has a cutting problem and has depression. The doctor, David Monroe, (played amazingly by Don Cheadle), works with the teens and you can tell he actually cares about them. David doesn't feed nonsense to his teens though, and he doesn't lie to them. He tells Lyle in the film that his anger will most likely be with him for his whole life, but he's got to learn how to live with it and express it in a less destructive way, or he will keep on until he hurts someone he cares about or maybe even kills himself.The script, dialogue, scenes, and all the problems presented are very realistic. I myself actually have many of the problems that the teens have in the film, especially an anger problem just like Lyle, so I know that the emotional scenes are not overacted or overdramatic. Lyle makes a rival with Mike in the film, and many of the more serious scenes in the movie are where Lyle lashes out at him in a very believable manner. Viewers with anger problems, like me, can empathize with Lyle and his feelings. I believe anyone who has had problems like anger, cutting, and/or depression can connect with this movie on a deep level just like I did.Some people complain about the way the movie was filmed. Yes, at times the camera angles may become annoying, as this is a lower budget film. The angles make the film appear a little like a documentary, even though it is not. If you can get past the way the camera moves, and just focus on the story and what's happening, this should not be a big deal. The acting in the movie is great in my opinion. Michael Bacall did a great job as Chad. Don Cheadle does an amazing job in the film. His emotions are especially felt in one scene where he goes into a rage ironically in response to an altercation between Lyle and Mike. They couldn't have picked any other actor to play Lyle better than Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who is definitely a promising actor. He portrays Lyle very well. The film also avoids cliche's. In reality there are no happy endings where everyone turns out just fine at the end of some terrible period of their life. This movie shows that, making it even more realistic in it's approach. The movie shows the true issues that teens have in their lives that so many movies do NOT show, and it shows those issues perfectly. Even though there are some problems not shown, it doesn't take anything away from the movie.One only problem I have with this movie is something other reviewers have mentioned: the film just ends, leaving us with no answers. No loose ends are tied up. You don't find out what happens to any of the other patients in the ward. It just kind of leaves you hanging to guess for yourself. But other than this, there really isn't anything else I could complain about. The acting is great, the script and dialogue is nice, and the overall story is very realistic. People like me who have very similar problems to the characters in the movie may appreciate this movie more than others who don't, but I believe anyone can enjoy it. It's powerful, gripping, and you won't forget about it for a long time after watching. Give Manic a try.

I am currently a mental health care worker that works in a facility like this. I can't believe how relistic this movie is compared to the real thing. Sure there are some moments in the movie which a professional will say that "it wouldnt work like that" or "That should have been handled differently" however, overall the movie was awesome. The main thing I liked about this movie was the therapist and his drive to help even though everything he tries usually leads to failure with the kids he works with. Working in this field, I know EXACTLY how he feels. How can you reach people who dont want to be reached? It hurts so much and is very draining to care about those that don't care about themselves. I understand all of the theories of how to help people however there are those that it doesnt matter what you try. It doesnt matter to them... they have already given up on themselves. This movie shows all of that. I highly relate to the therapist of this movie. This movie would be great to use in regards to mental health staff training and even during group therapy with trouble kids - especially teens. I think it would be helpful to let kids see other kids act the way they do at times and see what they feel about it - what comes up for discussion. See there I'm in the process of trying to figure out another way of helping. Its a constant cycle. Keep trying and trying. One sad thing about this movie is that there are some kids that are helped in real life. I dont want anyone to read this post or watch the movie and feel this type of care is worthless because it is not. I have made a difference in the lives of many kids. I wish this movie would have shown one kid having a break through that led to success. It didnt. That was the missing component of the movie. It's an amazing feeling to make a difference in someone's life - to save someone's life by showing them a better way of living. It's a great feeling to get through to them. I wish the movie would have shown that. Another thing I didnt like is that the regular mental health care worker, not the therapist, was shown more as a bouncer in the movie. If something went wrong they were there to restrain and the therapist did all of the mental health care work. In real life treatment, that is totally not true. Most of the time it is the regular mental health care worker doing the day to day routines and working with the real problems. The therapist just comes in for their weekly group and individual sessions. I wish they would have shown the value and the drive of the workers that work on the floor taking care of the kids. With that said, this is a great movie most people probably couldn't relate to. There is more to this movie than just "your typical nut job flick" as previous posts have stated.

lots of strong performances. Good writing. Interesting camera work. This has a lot going for it. Worth a watch

Manic is a great movie. It's very sad and unnerving in spots, but I would definitely recommend this movie to people who have a strong stomach. The performances by all the actors are really good. I might of changed the ending to be different for me, but the way it ends isn't bad. I highly recommend this movie, but it would be a hard one to watch very often.

It seems that most movies are about youth for a young audience but I would think most demographic groups could like this movie.Girl Interrupted was fair but it was a "chick-flick" and let's face it, a series of clichés.Manic is timeless in it's relevance.Teenagers fifty years ago dealt with the same issues and our councilor(Don Cheadle)and his assistants are believable.The story won't insult your intelligence.Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a fine actor and really works in this play as were all the actors.When you purchase this movie order Brick, Mysterious Skin, Hard Candy and The Lookout.

Very visceral movie about a group of problematic teenagers brought together. Some scenes reminded me of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.Filmed on a low quality camera, this was Gordon Levitt/ Deschanel collaboration, and it could not be further apart from (500) Days of Summer.There are parts that will make you want to look away or stop watching, and some others will make you feel like you were actually part of the group.Worth a watch.

What the hell was that?!Just ejected the film from the blu ray.The film was shot by an eleven year old with a home camera, that had a fault with the autofocus. Either that or once more we have another candidate for a film being ruined by a director looking to win an award.The picture kept jumping from actor to actor, less than a second...then zap, back to somewhere else.Odd angles, out of focus shots of various parts of the building or the lights. 20 mins in and there was no sign of a change. So, there I had to leave it.Shame as it had potential. But i couldn't watch it. Remnants of the blair witch project. That film was done well though.Haven't read the other reviews yet...It will be interesting to see what they say as they all give good reviews.Bought as this was recommended as one of the films you should see from a sight highlighting films you may have missed.Maybe I'll give it another go later, see if it settles down to something approaching a film that wants to tell you the story of the characters. Rather than 'how good' the director is.

'Manic' went largely unnoticed after its film festival run in 2001, and even after finally getting a DVD release in 2004, has still remained highly underrated to this day. To say the least, it's a remarkable achievement in my opinion. It's the most realistic portrayal of a youth psych ward that I have ever seen on film. 'Manic' revolves around a group of adolescents, roughly 12 to 17 year olds, who are locked up in a correctional facility in order to be 'fixed'. None of them are crazy per se, but they all seem to have serious emotional issues.This film is brutally honest, raw, and yet at times inspiring. I have not seen another film tackle this subject in such an unflinching and realistic manner. There's no fabricated drama here for the sake of conforming to Hollywood standards. The sometimes shaky, nontraditional digital camera work, and the lack of a musical soundtrack, make this film feel more like a documentary and less like a cinematic feature.Joseph Gordon-Levitt is phenomenal as Lyle Jensen, an easily angered and confused teenager, who can't seem to contain his rage. Don Cheadle is equally effective as the Head Counselor struggling to make a difference in the lives of the troubled teens, and at the same time dealing with his own demons. Michael Bacall plays the bipolar Chad, Lyle's closest thing to a friend in the facility, who despite putting on a friendly front is deeply conflicted inside. Zooey Deschanel plays the beautiful and kind Tracy, who suffers from crushingly low self-esteem. Her accomplice in the hospital is wannabe tough-girl Sara, played by newcomer Sara Rivas, who despite being outspoken and never one to appear weak, acts as a nurturer and protector for Tracy. The villain of the cast goes hands down to Mike, played by Elden Henson. He is successful at making you completely hate his character. He has problems similar to Lyle, but acts ghetto in a hip-hop inspired way to compensate for his lack of self-identity. And last but not least, is the youngest of the pack Kenny, played by Cody Lightning. Kenny shouldn't be in this particular ward because of his age, but had to be moved because of his troubled actions.'Manic' will probably never get the respect it deserves, but is a great film nonetheless. So if you want to see a a visual manifestation of mental illness in a raw upfront manner that Hollywood could never handle, this is for you.

Being a gigantic Joseph Gordon Levitt fan I was intrigued as to how he would adapt himself to a role of a deranged teenager forced into a mental institute by his mother, (despite his actions being a result of years of torment and physical /mental abuse). And yet he was totally brilliant, even I could believe his anger and frustration which he delivers in his own brilliant way.Was totally in awe of the performances of all of the characters in this movie, and how each had their own personal past, filled with fears and anxities which they reveal in small portions throughout the movie. This movie is a real eye-opener, but is totally believable and another yet another notch in Mr Levitt's belt.

Before the hard-hitting Mysterious Skin and the excellent Brick came Manic, a film about various teenagers with mental health issues. There's nothing particularly memorable or original here, but it's a solid film with solid performances, particularly from Gordon-Levitt himself. I have to admit that I never find Don Cheadle a particularly convincing or watchable actor, although he does a passable job in this case.This is one of those films that, if it came on TV, you'd probably watch it and probably enjoy it. Nothing more, nothing less.

"Manic" is set in a juvenile psychiatric ward for troubled teenagers, Where teens with violent, suicidal or disruptive tendencies come to be rehabilitated. The guru is Dr. David Monroe (Don Cheadle), a genuinely caring, down-to-earth man who has been through most of what the teenagers have experienced.The central character is Lyle (Joseph Gordon-Levitt / Third Rock from the Sun), in the ward after beating a kid with a baseball bat, and was sent to the hospital against his will. He won't talk about what happened, and his anger management issues are not helped any by fellow dweller Mike (Elden Ratliff / The Mighty Ducks), an argumentative Eminem wannabe who challenges everyone and loves to be at war with everyone.The plot is Lyle's struggle to accept the idea that he actually does need help. Whether he wants it, or not. He was taught violence by his father, as it seems more or less all the teenagers here learned hazardous behaviours from their parents or guardians.If you're a fan of "Girl Interrupted", you'll love this!