Crazy as Hell (2002)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Eriq La Salle

Writers (WGA):

Jeremy Leven (novel)
Jeremy Leven (screenplay) ...

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Malice, Madness, Mayhem...

Plot:

A famous psychiatrist (Ty Adams) takes on the job of trying to cure patients at the Sedah State Hospital...

Plot Keywords:

Satan | Psychiatrist | Mental Institution | Video Surveillance | Jump From Height

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Eriq La Salle	...	The Man
Michael Beach	...	Dr. Ty Adams
Ronny Cox	...	Dr. Delazo
Jane Carr	...	Nurse Danza
John C. McGinley	...	Parker
Sinbad	...	Orderly
Tia Texada	...	Lupa
Tracy Pettit	...	Cheryl
William Bassett	...	Mr. Brennan
Twink Caplan	...	Suzanne
Tom Everett	...	Mansell
Roberta Haze	...	Ms. Aslee
Khylan Jones	...	Brianna
J.P. Manoux	...	Arnie
Jim Ortlieb	...	Mr. Tobin

MPAA:

Rated R for some strong sexual content, violent images and language.

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Pasadena, California, USA

Company:

Humble Journey Films

Soundtrack:

Crazy as Hell

Out of the ordinary

CRAZY AS HELL takes the good old JACOB'S LADDER approach in a novel direction. A famed psychiatrist (the always likable Michael Beach) arrives at a state mental hospital, called Sedah. He has a different approach to treating the mentally ill: He talks to them, which puts him at odds with hospital director Ronny Cox, who believes strongly in medicating and if necessary restraining them. At first, Beach seems to have some success with his approach. Then a new patient (director Eric La Salle) arrives, calling himself Satan. It's all downhill from there. While all this is playing out, a film crew is filming a documentary on the famed shrink. At one point, they catch him talking to himself when he thinks he is talking to someone, and this is a major tipoff as to what is actually going on, and what's to come. Think of the hospital's name in reverse, and you'll get it. Hell, think of the movie's title and you're bound to get it. The ending is inevitable and a real downer, sort of like a Twilight Zone episode. And a lot like JACOB'S LADDER and CARNIVAL OF SOULS. But don't let this put you off from watching it. CRAZY AS HELL is that rare gem: a TV movie worth watching. It is well acted and directed, occasionally suspenseful, and La Salle keeps things moving along at a decent clip.