Stevecorp
Don't listen to the negative reviews
Abbigail Bush
what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.
Hayden Kane
There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes
wes-connors
Violently prone 17-year-old Joseph Gordon-Levitt (as Lyle Jensen) is finally sent to a juvenile psych ward. He gets in bloody fights, takes drugs, cuts himself, and even burns his arms with cigarettes. After an opening sedation wears off, Mr. Gordon-Levitt meets long-haired "almost 13" roommate Cody Lightning (as Kenny). Others are introduced at a group therapy session held by kindly staff psychologist Don Cheadle (as David Monroe). Second-billed Michael Bacall (as Chad) is working on anger management and reading "The Myth of Sisyphus". Gordon-Levitt's obvious romantic interest, beautiful Zooey Deschanel (as Tracy), is working on self-esteem. Blond bully Elden Henson (as Mike) and Gothic Sara Rivas (as Sara) have good supporting roles. Director Jordan Melamed might have had an excellent drama if it weren't for the wobbly camera, often used to simulate a low-budget documentary; it's self-conscious, dizzying and distracting.***** Manic (1/27/01) Jordan Melamed ~ Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Bacall, Don Cheadle, Zooey Deschanel
BernardoLima
Manic tells the story of Lyle Jensen,played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt,who is subject of sudden and violent outbursts. He is committed to the juvenile wing of the Northwood Mental Institution.There he meets several other young kids who suffer from a variety of problems.There is Chad(played by Michael Bacall) who suffers from an acute manic-depressive disorder; the self-mutilating Tracy ( Zoey Deschanel) who was once raped and now has trouble sleeping at night, tough-guy Mike (Henson) who asserts himself through violence bullying everyone around him; and the shy, diminutive Kenny (Lightning) who was sexually abused by a family member.Don Cheadle plays the well intentioned Dr. David Monroe who tries to help this kids trough group therapy sessions where they're suppose to explore their feelings and understand the consequences of their acts. As the movie goes on we learn how the behavior of some of the kids is just a consequence from bad parenting and how some of them are just the product of today's society.Manic is definitely interesting; the entire film was shot by a hand-held digital camera and the director uses a lot of close up's to really demonstrate the emotion of a character at a certain time and it works very well. Joseph Gordon-Levitt delivered a great performance and so did Don Cheadle. I just wish the director/writers had explored the mind of the characters and the human psyche a bit more.That could have made a very interesting and fascinating film.There's definitely a lot of potential here but it could have been took to another completely different level.6.5/10
Elswet
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 :.
sneakernet1
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.
