David e Lisa

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.

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.

"David and Lisa" is a well-made, beautifully photographed film from the early 1960's. It tells the very unusual love story between two people with extreme eccentricities. I am still uncertain, considering the year in question, whether they are supposed to be mentally ill or merely "troubled teens". Keir Dullea (better known, to me, in "2001") was hardly 17, but at 25 or 26 at the time, his performance and the whole material more than compensated for the obvious adult in the role. The independently produced film comes at the beginning of a long string of films dealing with mental issues. This one reminded me mostly of "Splendor in the Grass"--or at least the last half of that film. The cinematography is like one Ansel Adams photo after another. Do yourself a favor and watch this film!

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.