Self Medicated

Name: Self Medicated
Genre: Biography, Drama
Released: August 31, 2007
Duration: 107 min
Rating: 51
Cast: Diane Venora, Monty Lapica

2007

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 16 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 7 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 7 Ratings

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SELF MEDICATED

Movie Details & Credits

thinkfilm | Release Date: August 31, 2007

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 toOn 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)
… Expand

Director: Monty Lapica

Genre(s): Biography, Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 107 min

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Awards & Rankings

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert

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. Read full review

The Hollywood Reporter - Michael Rechtshaffen

There's a palpable element of honesty in Lapica's writing and lead performance that gives this indie production, the edge over other troubled teen dramas. Read full review

Austin Chronicle - Marrit Ingman

A compelling small-scale drama, and Lapica is a talent to watch. Read full review

Chicago Reader - J.R. Jones

The scenes of his incarceration and escape from the place are gripping, thanks mainly to Michael Bowen as the hard-ass staffer who wants to break him. But the movie slides toward melodrama with some stale business about the hero spreading his late father's ashes. Read full review

The New York Times - Jeannette Catsoulis

Though buoyed by Anthony Marinelli’s moody score and Denis Maloney’s gutsy cinematography, Self-Medicated suffers from severe dramatic droop. Read full review

The A.V. Club - Scott Tobias

It's a personal story that feels like it's been constructed from other movies. Read full review

Seattle Post-Intelligencer - Bill White

Before the movie reaches its climax, it has created a mess that requires divine intervention. Read full review

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Mixed:

User Reviews

joeyfrog

Nov 28, 2012

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.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

SeanD.

Sep 24, 2007

I thought it was excellent.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

HarveyB.

Sep 24, 2007

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, 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

1 of 1 users found this helpful

JoelW.

Apr 4, 2008

I was really moved by this film. It's filled with daring honesty that may turn off some cynics, but amounts genuine tears for the rest of us.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

WillD.

Sep 5, 2007

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 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

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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