Best movie of this year hands down!

the audience applauded

Simply A Masterpiece

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

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.

This movie started off a little heavy and I at first had to ask myself if I was emotionally ready for a long venture into a darker movie. However, after the opening scenes the movie takes shape and what is to be a most accurate description of life as a youth in a "mental institute" begins to unfold. I myself have been in an extraordinarily similar position as Lyle (the main character), going through the ropes of being forced into such an institution and the portrayal is spot on. This film does the world justice by painting a picture of youth that are truly troubled at heart and the struggles that they go through. The characters are truly unique and yet viable at the same time and the cast could not have been more well selected. The relationships that are built and the interactions between parties are truly stunning. I was blown away by how real the entire film felt, especially being quite experienced in it's content and nature. The cast and crew clearly did their homework before embarking on the set. See this film if you're in the mood for a heavy yet feel good movie. Some parts of the film are difficult to experience but in the end you are left with a sense of connectedness and hope for the characters that you will be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.

What I like about this film is that it doesn't try to be overly optimistic in order to make you believe that everyone turns out alright. This particular formula of a bunch of teenagers in a psychiatric ward may have been used many times before in other films, but this one leaves me with the greatest impression. Yes, everyone has difficult problems to get through in their lives, but it's how certain people 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 in psychiatric care sometime in their lives. Even so, Gordon-Levitt does a phenomenal job of being someone who struggles deeply with his emotions and his past.

I liked the content of the movie. The camera moving around so much was kind of a distraction but otherwise great performances. Zooey is definitely a sweetheart. Also, if anyone knows the listings for the soundtrack can you please let me know. I want the song where at the end of the movie Lyle is sitting at the bus stop and decides not to run and then hes walking back to the institution a song starts to play its all acoustic I believe. (what is it?)Manic was a touching film I liked how the friendships were built. Don Cheadle portrayed a therapist perfectly, hes really a great actor. I can say Manic is on my list of great films that include: Where the Buffalo Roam, Drugstore Cowboy, and Buffalo'66.