my favorite drama in the 2001 Sundance festival ,Manic was a frightening look at teenagers out of control and how the world forces them to desparate measures. Set in a juvenile mental institution it tells the story of Lyle ( Joseph Gordon Levitt, in an amazing, breakout dramatic performance) put under lock and key for assaulting another boy with a baseball bat. He rejects the system, it's diagnosis and it's blindness to the real problems he and the other kids are facing. Brutally honest and inspiring (without any schlockly-hokey feel good crap) shot in DV and improv-ed and made with the help of REAL kids in this terrible situation, Manic was an example of what a film festival should support. Also I would be doing a great disservice if I didn't mention the quiet commanding presence of young actor Cody Lightning (only 14 years old!!!!!)See this film!
Review of Manic
