Greetings, class, and welcome to the John Maxwell Film School. Class is in session, so let's get to it! On this blog, we will feature the works of certain actors and actresses that I believe need mentioning. Let's call these people Heroes of the Film School. Our first Hero is an actress that, despite have a relatively short career compared to a lot of her co-stars, has left quite the impression of both viewers and friends. She was quite the talent and this week's film shows that potential that eventually went unnoticed. It's none other than Debralee Scott, one of the stars of "Lisa, Bright and Dark".
This week's offering for the class is a television film from 1973. It was part of the long-running series of TV films "Hallmark Hall of Fame", a series noted for its use of high-quality talent and high quality stories. Now, "Lisa, Bright and Dark" is based on a book, so it has some high quality already. Beside Debralee, it has a nice roster of actors that have a list longer than my arm. The title character is played by an actress named Kay Lenz, who has had a nice career in terms of roles. Her parents are played here by Anne Baxter, one of Hollywood's best known character actresses and John Forysthe, a man best known for being just a voice on a speaker talking to three female ex-cops.
The running time of this film is a nice 75 minutes, which tells us that the film ran to a nice 90 when commercials are added. Now, I mentioned last week that this film came to DVD only this year. The quality of the footage is good for something 40 years old. Besides that, there's a quality to this film in terms of the storytelling. While there is a connected story, the way it's played makes it at times confusing. Instead of hindering it, it helps it. I should mention that the only reason I have this film in my collection is Debralee. I am a fan of her work and will sit down to watch anything with her in it. With that out of the way, let us summarize the film in question.
The film begins with a nice country drive for the opening credits. Through this we met Lenz's character Lisa and her father. The images we are shown tells us that there is a nice happy relationship, a healthy one between parent and child. However, as soon as the credits ends, it starts. We gets a scene of Lisa reacting negatively to her reflection in a mirror and hitting her head against the headboard of her bed. I have the same problem with mirrors myself. However, I just don't like my reflection. Her problem is anyone's guess. In fact, later in the movie, we'll see three characters trying to do just that.
She covers up the mirror as we meet the next member of Lisa's family, sister Tracy, played by future "Happy Days" star Erin Moran. When you have someone from that show in your movie that's not Ron Howard, don't expect an Oscar. Lisa and Tracy proceed to deliver a birthday cake to their mother, played by Anne Baxter. You can tell this is a high-quality production with money when "Happy Birthday" is actually sung. If you have enough money to have the song for a throwaway moment, you must had have a budget. I only hope I can get a budget big enough so one of my characters can have a birthday.
Cut to a scene of Lisa and her father going horseback riding. The two have a nice conversation about their past experiences riding and how Lisa could go back to those days. In this scene, we learn that Lisa's father works for the State Department. Yes, his job is directing three female agents to do stuff, with the directive of looking hot while doing it. However, Lisa can't stop talking about the old days. All this shows that Lisa is from proud parents. So proud that they'll do anything for their daughter, except get help for her mental problems because of how other people will view this and how it will affect their image. Other than that, they're very proud.
Cut to a party being held by the very reason we're talking about the film, Mary Neil, played by Debralee. The party is a nice affair as Lisa attends with her boyfriend Brian, played by another "Happy Days" actor Anson Williams. Anson and Lisa are having a nice time until she shouts at him for no reason. If this were "Happy Days", I might say Potsie said something incredibly stupid. Of course, this isn't "Happy Days". However, this movie first debuted in November 1973 and "Happy Days" debuts in January 1974, so in a couple of months, America's view of Brian will change forever.
Mary Neil and another friend, Betsy, go check on Lisa as she ran out of the party after the shouting. However, Lisa doesn't act like anything happened and goes back to the party. This raises a little concern in her friends but is quickly put on the back burner. Back at the party, Lisa and Brian talk over what happened but she tells him to forget it. The next day at school, Lisa and her friends discuss Brian. This leads to a moment with Lisa and Brian, where Lisa tells him that she's breaking up with him, over some undefined reason, probably being a Potsie. It's such a curse.
Some more time with Lisa and her family is where we go next. Lisa's mother discusses a upcoming family trip with her. Lisa's behavior towards this is flat and emotionless, as if she's not even part of the conversation. Lisa's mother is the opposite. We then cut to a scene in Lisa's English class, where the topic is "King Lear" The discussion is on the daughters. Pay attention, because back-stabbing is a useful skill in later life. For those who don't know, "King Lear" is about a man whose daughters go behind his back every chance they get. Why? Because they're women! It was the 16th century, after all, not an enlightened time.
We pan across the room to see Lisa cutting her own name into her arm with a paper clip. This gets the notice of everyone. Now that concern returns. In the next scene, they refer to it as a tattoo. Now, I'm not an expert on tattooing, or watch shows about the subject, or even books on it. However, I know that when you carve your name into your flesh with nothing but a paper clip, it's not a tattoo. It's just plain carving. I've been bored many times in my life but I have never had the urge to sign my name in my own skin. To tell the truth, I did stab a pencil into my hand once, but that was an accident.
In that next scene, Tracy discusses the event, while giving that she has no idea what the event was. Tracy then has to leave as the parents enter. They tell Lisa their own little concern over the event. It's revealed that Lisa's father rushed from his job over the event. I hope the Angels are alright. It's also revealed that the mother is upset at the teacher for implying something more happened. Lisa's father shrugs it off and tells Lisa that the next day, the two will go out for a little day out together. Yes, because a day out with your father is a practical method for dealing with mental illness.
A montage covers said day out, complete with a purchase and a nice brunch. Lisa's father then heads off to a meeting. Lisa then heads out on the town. This leads to our next strange happening. She proceeds to flag down a car for no reason. She eventually succeeds in getting a ride with a nice gentleman by just getting in his car. He tells her things but she doesn't say a word. In other films, it's the reverse and usually ends with the many uses of rope. Then again, this is a Hallmark movie. I've seen a few other ones, and such things are only for when revenge is called for later in the script.
She finally says things that aren't true, like her father being a duke. She also wishes he was a psychiatrist. Maybe he is, he doesn't tell us what he actually is. Finally, he makes a stop out of concern over his passenger. Actually, he's a bit hungry and he asks if she wants anything. His attempts at asking her what she wants while he's there fall on deaf ears and he leaves her in the car. Yeah, that's the right thing to do when dealing with someone who just got in your car. Genius. For his next trick, he'll give a gun to a schizoid, tell him how it works, and just leave. I'm sure nothing bad can happen with that plan.
Lisa then looks over her purchases and declares she's too young for them. She then discovers a matchbook and proceeds to light said purchases on fire. She watches the flames build until our man comes out, sees the sight, pulls Lisa from the car, and asks her what is going on. Again, no answer and Lisa proceeds to walk away from the scene without another word. I don't know what the problem was. Maybe Lisa just took them at their word when they told her the dresses were part of a fire sale. Then again, a lot of people think that's what a fire sale is, so I shouldn't make that joke. Again, what do I know? I'm just a man learning to make movies.
In the next scene, she tells her parents what happened. The mother is concerned over Lisa's break-up with Brian, leading both parents to figure him the cause of Lisa's behavior. Cut to lunch with Lisa's friends, discussing their friend's weird behavior as well. The three friends: Mary Neil, Betsy, and Elizabeth, played by Anne Lockhart, talk about possible reasons for this. Elizabeth brings up mental illness as a cause and the stigma attached to it. After a discussing with a teacher that leads nowhere, like with most teachers, the three go to talk to Lisa's mother.
The three bring up the subject of Lisa's behavior and that she might be mentally ill, with Elizabeth revealing her own fight with mental illness. Who better to bring it up than someone who had it? The mother feels, however, that Lisa needs is new friends. The mother also states that they have Lisa's best interests at heart and they don't. As someone once said, parents don't understand. She says she has her best interests at heart. Lisa's not the only one who's losing her mind. The mother thinks that carving your name into your skin with a paper clip is of your best interest. Just saying.
With no other way for Lisa to receive the help she needs, the trio decide to take a crash course in psychiatry. Yes, because when your friend is suffering, don't just take her to a person who studied it for years, just do it yourself. It works with home repairs and such. The course includes a discussion of Lisa's possible symptoms. When Elizabeth informs them that their efforts are useless, Mary Neil snaps at her. Don't mess with Debralee, she's a redhead, after all. I would never talk to Debralee like that. I wanna be her friend, not her enemy. I have an idea. Just don't think you can become therapists after an afternoon of learning.
However, all of this is interrupted by Lisa's arrival. With her there, the trio proceed to perform a little therapy session on her. Lisa tries to play games with them, with Elizabeth calling her out on it. It's amazing that one of them didn't break out a watch and just start saying, "You are getting sleepy". Actually, that might have sold the session for me. I'm such a fan of hypnosis. Maybe they can have cured things by having her think she was a seal every time they whistled "Dixie". Eventually, the session ends with Lisa telling them how much she hates them for doing such a thing. A job well done. Maybe you can join Starfleet and become real starship therapists.
This leads to a bizarre scene where Lisa covers herself in paint for no reason. Meanwhile, Mary Neil and Betsy discuss how they have begun watching Lisa, only for one to lose sight of her. They find the paint-covered Lisa. Rather than admire the newest work of art in school, we get another scene with Lisa and Brian, where she tells him to keep away from her. That Brian, he was born to be a Potsie. Maybe he can move to 1950s Wisconsin and make a career out of it. Just call me a psychic, because I think I just saw Brian's future. Then again, I'm just a man learning to make movies, so what do I know about these things?
We then get another scene with Lisa's family. Lisa tells her mother of her view of recent events. The mother replies that, in a few months, Lisa will be off to college for a fresh take of things, which Lisa criticizes. This mother has mastered the art of ignoring problems that are in her face. Then, Lisa suffers an episode on the stairs. This leads to a scene where Lisa's parents now consider real help. Not really, they just discuss what Lisa's new behavior will do for the father's image. Of course, the stigma is again discussed. Finally, the parents decides that the best for their image will be to wait on it.
This leads to a nicely-bizarre episode. Lisa sees a rag doll in a store window, buys it, and proceeds to act like it's her baby, even singing it a lullaby. I can't help but be interested by her actions here. Lisa seems to be both child and mother here. All her lines towards the doll are in a manner of a little child pretending to be Mommy. Then, in a case of bizarre going bizarre, Lisa decides to hide the doll to prevent it being taken away from her, burying in for safe keeping. Here's a lesson to all you mothers out there, if you want to keep your child, bury them in a safe place. I remember my times buried in soil. I think I've gotten out most of the worms in my arms.
Back to English, where Gulliver and his travels are the topic. All's well, it's a hap-hap-happy day, until Lisa is asked a question and Lisa whispers her answer in the teacher's ear. The implication was that what was said was not good, as in not for primetime television. Cut to a scene where the trio try therapy again, because if at first you don't succeed, try again. This time involving themselves in it by having each state something honest about how they feel about the others. The old Honesty Game, a favorite, to be sure. A staple of therapy centers that are run by teenagers. I'm sure no bad can happen here.
Betsy goes first, then Lisa. Betsy talks about how Mary Neil is a little overbearing. Lisa tells of the feelings and the problems she's been having. She then proceeds to turn on Elizabeth, talking about her hateful feelings for her. Two people with mental illness having an argument. I'm sure nothing can go wrong. Mary Neil decides to end the session. However, Lisa and Elizabeth continue it. As Elizabeth tries to leave, Lisa stops her, now wanting help. What causes this? Why, Lisa finally looked at her script and realized that it called for her to change her mind. After all, we only have 75 minutes minus commercials to tell our story. We already are closing on the ending, so we need to speed things up.
This then leads to Lisa attacking Elizabeth. That's a natural thing to do when you disagree with someone. Lisa's mother is then told by Mary Neil's parents that Lisa must seek help for her mental illness. This causes an argument between the three. Of course, the mother feels that all of Lisa's problems will go away. Lisa decides not to go to school after what has happened. Lisa pleads for help over what might happened to her. This plea falls on deaf ears, a common ailment in these parts, so Lisa decides to run away. Lisa then goes out to where she buried the doll and retrieve it. She then goes to Mary Neil's house. What better place to run away to than the place you beat someone just a few hours earlier?
Lisa is afraid over what her mother will do, knowing that the help she needs is not waiting there. Mary Neil's parents plead for her to go. However, she refuses, eventually running through a glass door to escape again. At last, Lisa's mother can't deny her daughter needs help. So, she is checked into a hospital for treatment of both her injuries and her illness. Lisa's friends visit and meet the doctor that will be handling Lisa's treatment of her mental illness. The friends apologizes for what they have done. With all that, the film comes to a nice ending. So, what things can we learn from this film on mental illness based on a book?
Now, I consider myself a student of the study of mental illness. Here, we see a nice study of it and its effects. In the movie, they actually try to avoid telling us what exactly Lisa is suffering from. The scene where Mary Neil, Betsy, and Elizabeth study psychology textbooks is a nice example. They talk about various illnesses that she might have. Plus, an added bonus for me, as a fan of split personalities, to hear Debralee say the word "split personality" thrills me to no end. Anyway, this scene doesn't actually say what she has. Indeed, the movie ends as Lisa is about to enter treatment. A lot of other movies go out of their way to say what the illness is. It's nice to see the opposite.
I'm sorry, but I can't stop thinking about Debralee being in this movie. She was a great talent and this movie shows it. She really becomes a central character in the story and earns that spot wonderfully. It's amazing that her career didn't reward that talent. If it wasn't for me being a fan, I wouldn't have even heard of this film. I wonder what she thought of her performance in this film. The DVD I have is bare bones, so no docs or commentary that might answer that question. I guess I'll have to wait until I get a little famous so I can ask her co-stars, most of them still with us to discuss the wonder that was Debralee Scott.
Back to the film. Now, I'm not gonna lie and say there's still a stigma attached to mental illness. We all praise those who have strong minds and shun those with weak minds. What is a mental illness is always changing. However, in this movie, we see that Lisa's parents have built up an image in their community and the idea that something's wrong with her daughter is seen as a threat to that image. That is a fact that has lasted to this day. Many people suffer in silence because of the stigma mental illness still carries. It takes the very breakdown of Lisa's sanity for the parents to finally get her help. Even then, there is still a stigma but at least they realize it's better to do the right thing than to just ignore it and hope it goes away.
Now, to the case of our two people from the world of "Happy Days". A fact that might be good to know is that it was this movie that gave us the Joanie we know and love. In the original pilot for "Happy Days" from 1972, Joanie was played by a different actress. In the meantime, Anson, who was in said pilot, took on this movie. In the making of it, he met Moran, who he suggested to the producers of "Happy Days" for the role of Joanie when the show went to series not too long after. I was kind of hoping Erin and Debralee would share a scene. The closest is when Tracy goes to answer the door when Mary Neil, Betsy, and Elizabeth visit and the mother stops her short of opening it. I guess any scene with the two will be left to my mind.
In the end, "Lisa, Bright and Dark" is a nice film. It doesn't talk down to its audience and instead asks them to consider if something like this would happen to them. I haven't read the book this is based, so I don't know if there is more to the story. Rest assured, I will find out. Now, onward to next week. Now, I have a dark secret to share with you. Ready? Here goes... I have never seen "The Big Lebowski". Seeing how great this film seems to be by what others say, I must seek this out. So, I go back to my Netflix queue and finally see for myself what others enjoy. Next week, the Film School will play host to The Dude and see if he abides by how things are done here...
The film begins with a nice country drive for the opening credits. Through this we met Lenz's character Lisa and her father. The images we are shown tells us that there is a nice happy relationship, a healthy one between parent and child. However, as soon as the credits ends, it starts. We gets a scene of Lisa reacting negatively to her reflection in a mirror and hitting her head against the headboard of her bed. I have the same problem with mirrors myself. However, I just don't like my reflection. Her problem is anyone's guess. In fact, later in the movie, we'll see three characters trying to do just that.
She covers up the mirror as we meet the next member of Lisa's family, sister Tracy, played by future "Happy Days" star Erin Moran. When you have someone from that show in your movie that's not Ron Howard, don't expect an Oscar. Lisa and Tracy proceed to deliver a birthday cake to their mother, played by Anne Baxter. You can tell this is a high-quality production with money when "Happy Birthday" is actually sung. If you have enough money to have the song for a throwaway moment, you must had have a budget. I only hope I can get a budget big enough so one of my characters can have a birthday.
Cut to a scene of Lisa and her father going horseback riding. The two have a nice conversation about their past experiences riding and how Lisa could go back to those days. In this scene, we learn that Lisa's father works for the State Department. Yes, his job is directing three female agents to do stuff, with the directive of looking hot while doing it. However, Lisa can't stop talking about the old days. All this shows that Lisa is from proud parents. So proud that they'll do anything for their daughter, except get help for her mental problems because of how other people will view this and how it will affect their image. Other than that, they're very proud.
Cut to a party being held by the very reason we're talking about the film, Mary Neil, played by Debralee. The party is a nice affair as Lisa attends with her boyfriend Brian, played by another "Happy Days" actor Anson Williams. Anson and Lisa are having a nice time until she shouts at him for no reason. If this were "Happy Days", I might say Potsie said something incredibly stupid. Of course, this isn't "Happy Days". However, this movie first debuted in November 1973 and "Happy Days" debuts in January 1974, so in a couple of months, America's view of Brian will change forever.
Mary Neil and another friend, Betsy, go check on Lisa as she ran out of the party after the shouting. However, Lisa doesn't act like anything happened and goes back to the party. This raises a little concern in her friends but is quickly put on the back burner. Back at the party, Lisa and Brian talk over what happened but she tells him to forget it. The next day at school, Lisa and her friends discuss Brian. This leads to a moment with Lisa and Brian, where Lisa tells him that she's breaking up with him, over some undefined reason, probably being a Potsie. It's such a curse.
Some more time with Lisa and her family is where we go next. Lisa's mother discusses a upcoming family trip with her. Lisa's behavior towards this is flat and emotionless, as if she's not even part of the conversation. Lisa's mother is the opposite. We then cut to a scene in Lisa's English class, where the topic is "King Lear" The discussion is on the daughters. Pay attention, because back-stabbing is a useful skill in later life. For those who don't know, "King Lear" is about a man whose daughters go behind his back every chance they get. Why? Because they're women! It was the 16th century, after all, not an enlightened time.
We pan across the room to see Lisa cutting her own name into her arm with a paper clip. This gets the notice of everyone. Now that concern returns. In the next scene, they refer to it as a tattoo. Now, I'm not an expert on tattooing, or watch shows about the subject, or even books on it. However, I know that when you carve your name into your flesh with nothing but a paper clip, it's not a tattoo. It's just plain carving. I've been bored many times in my life but I have never had the urge to sign my name in my own skin. To tell the truth, I did stab a pencil into my hand once, but that was an accident.
In that next scene, Tracy discusses the event, while giving that she has no idea what the event was. Tracy then has to leave as the parents enter. They tell Lisa their own little concern over the event. It's revealed that Lisa's father rushed from his job over the event. I hope the Angels are alright. It's also revealed that the mother is upset at the teacher for implying something more happened. Lisa's father shrugs it off and tells Lisa that the next day, the two will go out for a little day out together. Yes, because a day out with your father is a practical method for dealing with mental illness.
A montage covers said day out, complete with a purchase and a nice brunch. Lisa's father then heads off to a meeting. Lisa then heads out on the town. This leads to our next strange happening. She proceeds to flag down a car for no reason. She eventually succeeds in getting a ride with a nice gentleman by just getting in his car. He tells her things but she doesn't say a word. In other films, it's the reverse and usually ends with the many uses of rope. Then again, this is a Hallmark movie. I've seen a few other ones, and such things are only for when revenge is called for later in the script.
She finally says things that aren't true, like her father being a duke. She also wishes he was a psychiatrist. Maybe he is, he doesn't tell us what he actually is. Finally, he makes a stop out of concern over his passenger. Actually, he's a bit hungry and he asks if she wants anything. His attempts at asking her what she wants while he's there fall on deaf ears and he leaves her in the car. Yeah, that's the right thing to do when dealing with someone who just got in your car. Genius. For his next trick, he'll give a gun to a schizoid, tell him how it works, and just leave. I'm sure nothing bad can happen with that plan.
Lisa then looks over her purchases and declares she's too young for them. She then discovers a matchbook and proceeds to light said purchases on fire. She watches the flames build until our man comes out, sees the sight, pulls Lisa from the car, and asks her what is going on. Again, no answer and Lisa proceeds to walk away from the scene without another word. I don't know what the problem was. Maybe Lisa just took them at their word when they told her the dresses were part of a fire sale. Then again, a lot of people think that's what a fire sale is, so I shouldn't make that joke. Again, what do I know? I'm just a man learning to make movies.
In the next scene, she tells her parents what happened. The mother is concerned over Lisa's break-up with Brian, leading both parents to figure him the cause of Lisa's behavior. Cut to lunch with Lisa's friends, discussing their friend's weird behavior as well. The three friends: Mary Neil, Betsy, and Elizabeth, played by Anne Lockhart, talk about possible reasons for this. Elizabeth brings up mental illness as a cause and the stigma attached to it. After a discussing with a teacher that leads nowhere, like with most teachers, the three go to talk to Lisa's mother.
The three bring up the subject of Lisa's behavior and that she might be mentally ill, with Elizabeth revealing her own fight with mental illness. Who better to bring it up than someone who had it? The mother feels, however, that Lisa needs is new friends. The mother also states that they have Lisa's best interests at heart and they don't. As someone once said, parents don't understand. She says she has her best interests at heart. Lisa's not the only one who's losing her mind. The mother thinks that carving your name into your skin with a paper clip is of your best interest. Just saying.
With no other way for Lisa to receive the help she needs, the trio decide to take a crash course in psychiatry. Yes, because when your friend is suffering, don't just take her to a person who studied it for years, just do it yourself. It works with home repairs and such. The course includes a discussion of Lisa's possible symptoms. When Elizabeth informs them that their efforts are useless, Mary Neil snaps at her. Don't mess with Debralee, she's a redhead, after all. I would never talk to Debralee like that. I wanna be her friend, not her enemy. I have an idea. Just don't think you can become therapists after an afternoon of learning.
However, all of this is interrupted by Lisa's arrival. With her there, the trio proceed to perform a little therapy session on her. Lisa tries to play games with them, with Elizabeth calling her out on it. It's amazing that one of them didn't break out a watch and just start saying, "You are getting sleepy". Actually, that might have sold the session for me. I'm such a fan of hypnosis. Maybe they can have cured things by having her think she was a seal every time they whistled "Dixie". Eventually, the session ends with Lisa telling them how much she hates them for doing such a thing. A job well done. Maybe you can join Starfleet and become real starship therapists.
This leads to a bizarre scene where Lisa covers herself in paint for no reason. Meanwhile, Mary Neil and Betsy discuss how they have begun watching Lisa, only for one to lose sight of her. They find the paint-covered Lisa. Rather than admire the newest work of art in school, we get another scene with Lisa and Brian, where she tells him to keep away from her. That Brian, he was born to be a Potsie. Maybe he can move to 1950s Wisconsin and make a career out of it. Just call me a psychic, because I think I just saw Brian's future. Then again, I'm just a man learning to make movies, so what do I know about these things?
We then get another scene with Lisa's family. Lisa tells her mother of her view of recent events. The mother replies that, in a few months, Lisa will be off to college for a fresh take of things, which Lisa criticizes. This mother has mastered the art of ignoring problems that are in her face. Then, Lisa suffers an episode on the stairs. This leads to a scene where Lisa's parents now consider real help. Not really, they just discuss what Lisa's new behavior will do for the father's image. Of course, the stigma is again discussed. Finally, the parents decides that the best for their image will be to wait on it.
This leads to a nicely-bizarre episode. Lisa sees a rag doll in a store window, buys it, and proceeds to act like it's her baby, even singing it a lullaby. I can't help but be interested by her actions here. Lisa seems to be both child and mother here. All her lines towards the doll are in a manner of a little child pretending to be Mommy. Then, in a case of bizarre going bizarre, Lisa decides to hide the doll to prevent it being taken away from her, burying in for safe keeping. Here's a lesson to all you mothers out there, if you want to keep your child, bury them in a safe place. I remember my times buried in soil. I think I've gotten out most of the worms in my arms.
Back to English, where Gulliver and his travels are the topic. All's well, it's a hap-hap-happy day, until Lisa is asked a question and Lisa whispers her answer in the teacher's ear. The implication was that what was said was not good, as in not for primetime television. Cut to a scene where the trio try therapy again, because if at first you don't succeed, try again. This time involving themselves in it by having each state something honest about how they feel about the others. The old Honesty Game, a favorite, to be sure. A staple of therapy centers that are run by teenagers. I'm sure no bad can happen here.
Betsy goes first, then Lisa. Betsy talks about how Mary Neil is a little overbearing. Lisa tells of the feelings and the problems she's been having. She then proceeds to turn on Elizabeth, talking about her hateful feelings for her. Two people with mental illness having an argument. I'm sure nothing can go wrong. Mary Neil decides to end the session. However, Lisa and Elizabeth continue it. As Elizabeth tries to leave, Lisa stops her, now wanting help. What causes this? Why, Lisa finally looked at her script and realized that it called for her to change her mind. After all, we only have 75 minutes minus commercials to tell our story. We already are closing on the ending, so we need to speed things up.
This then leads to Lisa attacking Elizabeth. That's a natural thing to do when you disagree with someone. Lisa's mother is then told by Mary Neil's parents that Lisa must seek help for her mental illness. This causes an argument between the three. Of course, the mother feels that all of Lisa's problems will go away. Lisa decides not to go to school after what has happened. Lisa pleads for help over what might happened to her. This plea falls on deaf ears, a common ailment in these parts, so Lisa decides to run away. Lisa then goes out to where she buried the doll and retrieve it. She then goes to Mary Neil's house. What better place to run away to than the place you beat someone just a few hours earlier?
Lisa is afraid over what her mother will do, knowing that the help she needs is not waiting there. Mary Neil's parents plead for her to go. However, she refuses, eventually running through a glass door to escape again. At last, Lisa's mother can't deny her daughter needs help. So, she is checked into a hospital for treatment of both her injuries and her illness. Lisa's friends visit and meet the doctor that will be handling Lisa's treatment of her mental illness. The friends apologizes for what they have done. With all that, the film comes to a nice ending. So, what things can we learn from this film on mental illness based on a book?
Now, I consider myself a student of the study of mental illness. Here, we see a nice study of it and its effects. In the movie, they actually try to avoid telling us what exactly Lisa is suffering from. The scene where Mary Neil, Betsy, and Elizabeth study psychology textbooks is a nice example. They talk about various illnesses that she might have. Plus, an added bonus for me, as a fan of split personalities, to hear Debralee say the word "split personality" thrills me to no end. Anyway, this scene doesn't actually say what she has. Indeed, the movie ends as Lisa is about to enter treatment. A lot of other movies go out of their way to say what the illness is. It's nice to see the opposite.
I'm sorry, but I can't stop thinking about Debralee being in this movie. She was a great talent and this movie shows it. She really becomes a central character in the story and earns that spot wonderfully. It's amazing that her career didn't reward that talent. If it wasn't for me being a fan, I wouldn't have even heard of this film. I wonder what she thought of her performance in this film. The DVD I have is bare bones, so no docs or commentary that might answer that question. I guess I'll have to wait until I get a little famous so I can ask her co-stars, most of them still with us to discuss the wonder that was Debralee Scott.
Back to the film. Now, I'm not gonna lie and say there's still a stigma attached to mental illness. We all praise those who have strong minds and shun those with weak minds. What is a mental illness is always changing. However, in this movie, we see that Lisa's parents have built up an image in their community and the idea that something's wrong with her daughter is seen as a threat to that image. That is a fact that has lasted to this day. Many people suffer in silence because of the stigma mental illness still carries. It takes the very breakdown of Lisa's sanity for the parents to finally get her help. Even then, there is still a stigma but at least they realize it's better to do the right thing than to just ignore it and hope it goes away.
Now, to the case of our two people from the world of "Happy Days". A fact that might be good to know is that it was this movie that gave us the Joanie we know and love. In the original pilot for "Happy Days" from 1972, Joanie was played by a different actress. In the meantime, Anson, who was in said pilot, took on this movie. In the making of it, he met Moran, who he suggested to the producers of "Happy Days" for the role of Joanie when the show went to series not too long after. I was kind of hoping Erin and Debralee would share a scene. The closest is when Tracy goes to answer the door when Mary Neil, Betsy, and Elizabeth visit and the mother stops her short of opening it. I guess any scene with the two will be left to my mind.
In the end, "Lisa, Bright and Dark" is a nice film. It doesn't talk down to its audience and instead asks them to consider if something like this would happen to them. I haven't read the book this is based, so I don't know if there is more to the story. Rest assured, I will find out. Now, onward to next week. Now, I have a dark secret to share with you. Ready? Here goes... I have never seen "The Big Lebowski". Seeing how great this film seems to be by what others say, I must seek this out. So, I go back to my Netflix queue and finally see for myself what others enjoy. Next week, the Film School will play host to The Dude and see if he abides by how things are done here...
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