Self Medicated
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Metascore
51 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

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  • Starring: Diane Venora, Monty Lapica
  • Summary: On the edges of Las Vegas, 17-year old Andrew is spiraling out of control. Unable to cope with the loss of his father, Andrew's descent into drugs and violence is gaining momentum, and the once-promising young man is heading for self-destruction. Andrew's mother, helpless to control her son and fighting an addiction of her own, refuses to watch idly as her only child destroys himself. As a last resort, she hires a private company to forcibly kidnap and confine him in a locked-down (and corrupt) psychiatric hospital. As Andrew is subjected to the physical and emotional abuses of the program, something inside of him is reawakened. He decides that it is time to rebuild his life, but in order to do so, he must face his demons head-on. Based on true events. (THINKFilm)
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 16
  3. Negative: 2 out of 16
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    75
    On the basis of this film, Monty Lapica, at 24, has a career ahead of him as a director, an actor or both. He also has a life ahead of him, which the film does a great deal to make clear.
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: G. Allen Johnson
    75
    Though the script and storytelling could have used more polish, Lapica's honesty provides the lasting impression.
  3. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Shawn Levy
    58
    As it stands, the film is more often self-absorbed than self-aware.
  4. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Phillips
    38
    Lapica isn't yet enough of a writer or director (or an actor) to make the dramatic arc unpredictable in any way. It may be effective for some as therapy. It is far less so as cinematic storytelling.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. HarveyB.
    10
    This film has quite a few remarkable features. First of all is its title, which is rather unusual and immediately grabs one's interest. It is a very well written script with stylish direction, however the real meat is the utterly convincing performances by the actors. Diane Venora, Greg Germann, Michael Bowen, and Kristina Anapau are all seasoned actors and their conviction and intensity is astounding. Monty Lapica, as the tortured juvenile Andrew, has a face which conveys a myriad of emotions with great sensitivity and few words. He can be cold as ice, but his performance is most moving when he reveals his sensitive side. The final image will linger and hold you for a long while.… Expand
  2. joeyfrog
    10
    This is an indie film made for a low budget. Considering the limited resources the filmmakers had I must say they did an outstanding job. This is a very well made movie that is resonant on many levels. I would recommend this film.… Expand
  3. SeanD.
    10
    I thought it was excellent.
  4. WillD.
    0
    first movie I've walked out of before the final credits rolled in a really long time. I'm not giving this movie a Zero because i give every movie a Zero or a Ten, I'm giving it a Zero because it is one of the top-five worst movies I've ever scene. you actually feel personally insulted sitting there listening to all its cliches. it's like a two-hour PSA created by the Office of National Drug Control Policy. it's like a made-for-TV melodrama that was rejected by Lifetime for being too sentimental. a small handful of tired, overwrought ideas that have been presented a million times before, just not this unappealingly. plus! the penultimate scene contains a homeless-yet-noble black man to deliver the film's "message." great!… Expand

See all 5 User Reviews

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