David e Lisa

"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!

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.

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.

This beautiful movie has more humanity and intensity than any violent or sexual-filled film that Hollywood puts out today. The magic and conviction of this film will look in your eyes and reach deep into your heart. The acting is superb.You feel like a voyeur uninvited watching a drama unfold.The actress has a sweet demeanor which is very rare in actresses today.The actor just pulls on your heartstrings with his ability to convey to the viewer that he cant touch,yet wants to ...desparat.ely. The simple scene in which the lead actor shares a slice of chocolate cake with the psychiatrist,shows an enormous amount of two humans interacting on a level of the patient and the doctor,yet each learning and teaching from another.The vulnerability and rawness of the film reaches so many different levels and scenes throughout the movie.This film has much more raw emotion than Nicholson's film"One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest".And that is because the story gets right to the point.It is beautifully done simple,and not trying to hard.

Dr.Petersen

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.