Manic
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Manic
2001
Drama
1h 40m
A drama about a violent teen who is committed to a juvenile mental institution where he is forced to confront the source of his rage.
Directed by:
Jordan MelamedManic
2001
Drama
1h 40m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 51.65% from 274 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews
(274)
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Rated 22 Aug 2021
79
61st
This is a quintessential early aughts indie: shot on hand held DV cameras, with sparse sets, and a hip soundtrack (including Aphex Twin). It's essentially a showcase for young actors--especially Zooey Deschanel & Joseph Gordon-Levitt. But it gets kudos for illustrating how juveniles forgotten in a hopeless system have a chance at repair via proper mentorship. And Don Cheadle is awesome at showing the frustration of that burden. You can only watch it once, but it's still recommended.
Rated 22 Aug 2021
Rated 04 Jun 2010
71
57th
The people who said the direction in this movie looked like a student film are spot on. That's probably the reason that Mr. Melamed hasn't directed another film since. With that said, almost all of the performances are terrific (especially the ones you'd expect, JGL, Cheadle), and the story keeps your interest for the duration. A worthwhile experience overall (probably best if you just close your eyes, though).
Rated 04 Jun 2010
Rated 16 Dec 2007
7
58th
Is it accurate ? I don't know, can't really judge... but it's brilliantly acted, that's for sure.
Rated 16 Dec 2007
Rated 03 Jan 2013
58
13th
There was a point in this somewhere, I think, right? I feel cheated for being a JGL-o-phile, but at least I still got to stare at a fully clothed Deschanel even though she's less than peak at this point.
Rated 03 Jan 2013
Rated 09 Apr 2015
75
52nd
Seems to have scenes that are only fairly good, or fairly bad. Acting is pretty good and it kind of feels like a Korine film. Decent at best.
Rated 09 Apr 2015
Rated 15 Mar 2015
30
17th
It seemed to be more about anger management than mania. It is not a feel good subject, and you have to be in the mood to watch this examination of the treatment for mental illness. By the end, I was tired of watching it. The story telling was weak but performances were mostly good. It features a young Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in early dramatic roles. Don Cheadle was good.
Rated 15 Mar 2015
Rated 27 Dec 2013
70
77th
You've seen the basic story of Manic. A person being forced against his or her will to enter a psychiatric ward isn't a new storyline. But in the details lie the reasons to give this film a shot. The gritty filming style makes you feel like you're there, or at the very least watching a documentary of real events, the characters are well-performed, and while I wish the secondary characters weren't strictly defined by their mental illness, it works in a setting like this one.
Rated 27 Dec 2013
Rated 02 Jun 2013
40
19th
Eh. It was okay. Troubled teens. Some good acting. The camera bugged me.
Rated 02 Jun 2013
Rated 06 May 2013
84
46th
A movie that throws you into the middle of distraught teenagers who have lost their way. Kids who have put up with too much and now they are paying for it mentally. It is very well done, you don't really fully come to like Levitts character as he is in his own right a bad person and I can appreciate that. It seems everyone has to come to grips with themselves and its much much easier said than done. Don cheadle as the counseler is pretty low key here, yet you can feel that he is their sanity.
Rated 06 May 2013
Rated 16 Apr 2012
61
36th
Really, really great performances. Not too much else, unfortunately. Feels like an acting reel.
Rated 16 Apr 2012
Rated 04 Apr 2012
75
18th
Very low budget and other than the star power, terrible acting
Rated 04 Apr 2012
Rated 24 Jan 2012
65
54th
It was alright. It employed the 'shaky cam' style which got on my nerves a bit. I mean, I get it. The characters are unstable. Manic, if you will. But it's just so obvious. Perhaps it would've been okay ten years ago - when the style wasn't as overused as it is today. The whole thing felt a little amateurish, to he honest. Still, it had some good performances and it's not a horrible film.
Rated 24 Jan 2012
Rated 23 Aug 2011
2
37th
Very convincing performance from all actors. Too bad that's only outstanding thing about this movie.
Rated 23 Aug 2011
Rated 24 Jun 2010
58
21st
In an attempt to be "artsy", Manic comes off as just angry. At the center of the film is a bunch of angry kids, but they remain static throughout the duration and at the end...yup, still angry. So the actors did a fine (and in some instances great) job of playing really flat characters. The camerawork was totally unnecessary and amateurish. Hand-held work is great when it fits. It definitely made no sense with this material.
Rated 24 Jun 2010
Rated 08 Feb 2010
73
66th
Gets the point across in a straight-up, honest way. Great acting all around.
Rated 08 Feb 2010
Rated 31 Jan 2010
67
67th
Great acting for the most part but the camera shakiness was annoying and it's hilarious that Hollywood thinks people say 'fuck' at least 2 times per sentence. It's distracting and unrealistic, honestly. But good movie overall.
Rated 31 Jan 2010
Rated 09 Aug 2009
89
92nd
This film presents lifes of the residents of a youth asylum, for temporary care, and it does so in realistic way. The camera angles give it a documentary feel, and in the end the films focal point is made with symbolism.
Rated 09 Aug 2009
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