David and Lisa

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.

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.

This is an American film influenced by the European New Wave. It takes the form of a psychological drama centred on a school for mentally ill youngsters, in particular a boy named David who is terrified of being touched and a girl Lisa who has a split personality and speaks in rhyme. It's a quality production all round with a couple of great central turns from Keir (2001 a Space Odyssey) Dullea and the beautiful Janet Margolin in the two central roles. The material is handled very well and you are definitely on board and behind the main characters. It was nominated for some Oscars and won a Bafta - not that this often means much but in this case it was quite deserved in my opinion.

Frank Perry's incredibly poignant drama about a psycho-neurotic young man named David, remarkably played by the handsome Keir Dullea, who is send to a private mental institution for emotionally disturbed teens by his parents. David has a great fear of being touched by anyone, he literally thinks he will die if touched, and is extremely resistant to forming friendships. He is also obsessed by clocks and time. While at the facility David meets Lisa, marvelously played by the beautiful Janet Margolin, a young schizophrenic girl who speaks in rhymes and is disassociated from reality. David who is antagonistic to everyone else, treats Lisa with mild compassion and caring and soon an odd romance begins when these two troubled youngsters realized that they can each help each. Brilliant direction by Perry in his directorial debut, which along with his engrossing screenplay earned him Oscar nominations. Gorgeous black & white cinematography by Leonard Hirschfield, and wonderful supporting performances by Howard Da Silva, Nava Patterson, Clifton Jones, Richard McMurray, Karen Gorney and Jaime Sanchez. One of the finest films ever made about mental illness.

Janet Margolin as Lisa was not only beautiful, but her smile, as another commenter stated, "could light up the darkest room." It's true. She was very likable. While David wasn't "likable", he played his part very well, and became more sympathetic as the movie went on. This is one of those movies that is much better than you thought it might be. I loved it.

I also think the storyline was very well done. It kept you engrossed. The doctor was very meek in the best sense of the word - not responding to provocation by David in the least.

David's outbursts when touched were moving and very realistic - you believed he felt that way.

Lisa, frumpy dress, messy hair and all, was astonishingly beautiful in my eyes, and acted out her part perfectly.

All in all, I would watch the movie again. It's that good.