David y Lisa

Probably director Perry's finest hour, David AND LISA basically cost nothing and went on to gross a fortune despite its downbeat nature. Keir Dullea and Janet Margolin are wonderful in this nicely modulated yet off-kilter love story. The best romance stories are beset by the biggest obstacles and this movie touchingly lays out the challenging premise of blossoming love between two emotionally disturbed individuals with much to overcome. Sometimes cold and distant and not always a happy movie-going experience, David AND LISA is nevertheless a convincing and definitive testament to the thrills and agonies of young love. Those who like this movie might also consider seeking out the similarly touching Aussie movie ANGEL BABY, which also addresses the subject of love from the point of view of emotionally troubled individuals.

This is my favorite movie from the 1960's and there were a number of outstanding black and white films made during this period such as "The Balcony", "Children's Hour", "The Mark", and "The Pawnbroker". David and Lisa was a low budget film with outstanding acting. It's worth seeing.

David Clemens checks into a sanitorium. He freaks out whenever somebody touches him. He is anti-social until he becomes taken with fellow patient Lisa Brandt. When she speaks, she can only do it in rhymes. He starts communicating with her in rhymes.

The rhyming aspect is a little manufactured but I do like that it forces David to work to communicate with Lisa. There is a sacrifice and a quest to their courtship. I'm willing to allow for some artistic license. It's poetic and it also allows for an easy resolution. These two troubled soul are very sweet. They are a couple of wallflowers who find each other in the corner of a crowded room. This is a slow sweet little romance.

how could this film only rate a 6.9 on imdb? this film is incredibly poignant and well done, from the fantastic story to the wonderful performances to the gorgeous black and white cinematography. there just aren't that many films out there that are this good. maybe the subject material of teenage mental illness is just too difficult for some or some people today can't relate to the characters who seem very different from today's teenagers. it is a rare thing to experience a movie that evokes such deep feelings from its audience. Frank and Eleanor Perry, this film's director and writer (and husband and wife team) had a penchant for disturbing, emotional conflicts. this film started their careers and was Oscar-nominated for both its direction and its screenplay. in our own way we are like these lost children, finding our way to the best start we can make in life.

In a year where pretty much every movie had to be gargantuan to even be considered for serious Oscar consideration ("To Kill a Mockingbird," you're excused), "David and Lisa" snuck up behind to grab nominations for husband and wife team Frank Perry and Eleanor Perry, for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, respectively.

"David and Lisa" feels like a bridge between movie eras. Mental illness had been explored plenty of times before, but always in a Big Hollywood Studio kind of way. This film feels more raw and exposed in its treatment of the subject matter, a harbinger of the REALLY raw stuff people like John Cassavetes would start putting on the screen in a handful of years. Unlike Cassavetes movies, this movie feels obligated to make us feel good about our protagonists' futures by the end of the film, but it can be forgiven that I think. Its starkness was probably strong enough stuff for audiences at the time without a more realistic resolution.

Keir Dullea (of "2001" fame) and Janet Margolin do fine work as the youngsters who help each other break out of their muddled heads.

Grade: A-