Truly Dreadful Film

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

I think that the movie tries to show two things: 1. The way we become as human beings in society is shaped by our infancy. The situations that we were exposed as kids (violence, drugs, abuse, intolerance) mark our adulthood and unless we don't face it and do something about it there's no way we can live without it. 2. The second point is related to the first one. That is because no matter how far you run from your problems they'll run with you because you are the problem that has to be solved. It's a very touching movie that represents many problems through everyone of the people in the institution and how each one of them deal with their own problems. The direction of the movie shots always the face of the characters trying to let the audience see every expression everyone of them makes with every event that occurs in the mental institution.

Lyle (Joseph Gordon-Levit) is a teenager with anger issues who, having nearly killed another boy with a baseball bat, is put into a specialist unit, along with a number of other troubled teens, under the guidance of Dave (Don Cheadle).I have to go along with those who say that this film is perfectly cast, and that the performances are powerful and faultless - this is true. And I also have to say that it successfully evokes the documentary feel it is going for (although, personally, I do like the use of a tripod now and then).But I also have to say that there was little in the way of narrative thrust, to the extent that I found it quite boring for a lot of the time. And it was also dispiriting and lacking in hope. I suppose One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest is the obvious comparison in terms of subject matter, and the mildly optimistic ending here (at least I assume that is what it is, because it is far from obvious) does not compare with the flight of freedom which flies out of the nightmare at the end of Cuckoo's Nest.The undoubted talent on show here does not make this a rewarding viewing experience. Having watched it once I have no wish to watch it again, and I do not recommend it.

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 was Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt's first movie together prior to (500) Days of Summer. I expect Joseph's bright face smiling all through the film with no care in the world and Zooey's aura just lightening up the whole set with her beautiful blue-ish, green-ish, grey-ish eyes (frankly, despite practically worshiping her, I don't really know her eye color). My God was I wrong.This movie made me scared of Gordon-Levitt. Seeing him in (500) Days of Summer, I thought he was a crazy loony and like every other guy who has watched (500) Days of Summer, saw ourselves in him. But Lyle, the character he plays is not a pleasant one.I've only seen Zooey Deschanel's big movies like Elf, (500) Days of Summer, Yes Man etc. and only seen her characters in a more of a calm type of person. I never seen her in an intense emotion as I did in Manic. I felt sympathetic for her character. Also her appearance was real just as everyone else in the film. I think they didn't have a make department 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 practically being negative. Its a psycho thriller that will have you shaking with rage.Overall, the movie is real. The camera is in weird angles and made me a little dizzy but that's just the effect. Everyone looked greasy but that's what the intention was. The theme is great, good to anybody especially any young adult who is facing issues in life. The ending has an important symbolism that will have the viewer sorting out his/her life.

This film is gritty. It is...explosive. Dramatic. There is little to warm your heart, but there is a great deal of connectivity with the troubled youth of today. Don Cheadle is 100% convincing in his role as Dr. David Monroe, which was a genuine, but delightful, surprise.Lyle teaches us that society and societal issues drives us, shapes us, and sometimes misshapes us down deep, where it matters. The problems of his friends and fellow in-house residents cuts the meat this film is made of, while demonstrating aptly how our messed up society produces messed up individuals.They teach us to believe in the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, the Tooth Faerie...and then they tell us it was all just a lie. But we're not supposed to lie. So do we hate those who have lied to us? Hate the lies themselves? Or adapt and accept? This demonstrates the fight or flight instinct within us all, and aptly so.All in all, this is a great film which is deserving of your time, however, it may be a bit too darkly depressing for a Friday or Saturday night flick.It rates an 8.1/10 from...the Fiend :.