Watch David and Lisa

David and Lisa from 1962 is a touching and introspective film that explores the inner workings of two troubled teenagers' minds. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Theodore Isaac Rubin, which focuses on the themes of mental illness, communication, and acceptance. The movie follows the story of David Clemens (Keir Dullea), a young man with severe emotional issues that prevent him from forming meaningful relationships with his family and peers. He is struggling to find his place in the world and receives attention from an esteemed psychiatrist, Dr. Swinford (Howard da Silva).

Meanwhile, Lisa Brandt (Janet Margolin), a young woman with a severe case of schizophrenia, is also a patient at the psychiatric hospital where David is living. Although they come from vastly different backgrounds, David and Lisa soon form a bond with each other that is based on a shared sense of loneliness and isolation.

As they get to know each other better, David and Lisa struggle to communicate with one another. David has a hard time expressing his emotions and often becomes overwhelmed when he tries to do so. Lisa, on the other hand, has a tendency to retreat into her own world when she becomes afraid or upset. Dr. Swinford helps them navigate their feelings and teaches them how to communicate better, paving the way for each of them to make breakthroughs in their own personal quests for self-discovery.

The film's cinematography is stunning, with the camerawork showcasing the striking beauty of the hospital grounds and the surrounding countryside. Moreover, the director, Frank Perry, masterfully showcases the emotions of the characters, taking us from David's initial loneliness and desperation, to Lisa's manic highs and lows. The film's soundtrack, composed by Mark Lawrence, also adds to the evocative atmosphere, with the music effortlessly capturing the film's mood and adding emotional weight to many of the key scenes.

One of the most striking aspects of David and Lisa is the way that it approaches the subject of mental health. Rather than relying on clichéd, sensationalized portrayals of psychiatrists or patients, the film presents an honest and insightful look at how different people experience mental illness. David and Lisa's struggles are depicted with sensitivity and empathy, while still acknowledging the pain that can arise from these illnesses. By doing so, the film humanizes individuals who might otherwise be marginalized or judged by society.

Throughout the film, we see each of the characters grow and evolve, with both David and Lisa ultimately overcoming their struggles to find acceptance and happiness. Their story is one of hope, one in which characters who have been labeled as abnormal and treated as outcasts are shown to be full and complex human beings. This approach is particularly refreshing, as David and Lisa provide an antidote to the tired movie clichés about characters with mental illness often viewed as villains or asylums as creepy and dangerous places.

Overall, David and Lisa is a moving and thought-provoking film that remains relevant and resonant more than fifty years after its initial release. It is a testament to the power of empathy and human connection, as well as the importance of listening to and understanding one another. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a powerful, emotionally resonant film that provides insight into the human experience.

David and Lisa is a 1962 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.