Mad to Be Normal (2017)

During the 1960s, a renegade Scottish psychiatrist courts controversy within his profession for his approach to the field, and for the unique community he creates for his patients to inhabit.

Director:

Robert Mullan

Writers:

Robert Mullan, Tracy Moreton

Stars:

David Tennant, Elisabeth Moss, Michael Gambon

2 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
David Tennant	...	R.D. Laing
Elisabeth Moss	...	Angie Wood
Michael Gambon	...	Sydney Kotok
Gabriel Byrne	...	Jim
David Bamber	...	Dr. Meredith
Trevor White	...	Bryan
Rebecca Gethings	...	Jane Simons
Olivia Poulet	...	Maria
Nigel Barber	...	Dr. Bloom
David Annen	...	Psychiatrist
Zak Holland	...	Teenager on Bike
Caitlin Innes Edwards	...	Mrs. Kotok
Matthew Jure	...	Richard Long
Elena Valdameri	...	East London Neighbour
Philip Gascoyne	...	Psychiatrist

Storyline

During the 1960s, a renegade Scottish psychiatrist courts controversy within his profession for his approach to the field, and for the unique community he creates for his patients to inhabit.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Details

Official Sites:

Film Site News article

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 April 2017 (UK)

Also Known As:

Metanoia

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gizmo Films,Bad Penny Productions,Goldfinch Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Film '72: Episode #46.3 (2017)

User Reviews

Some Interesting Aspects But the Movie Just Becomes a Slog

Set in the 1960's, the film centers on the rather revolutionary psychiatric treatments of the time conducted by Dr. R. D. Laing. David Tennant stars as Laing, who was strongly opposed to accepted treatments such as electroshock therapy and tranquilizers for mental illness ,believing more in non-drug (except for LSD) and more natural therapies. Most of Laing's work took place at Kingsley Hall, between 1965 to 1970 in East London.

Elisabeth Moss co-stars here as Angie Wood, a graduate student at Columbia, who while attending one of Laing's lectures is completely taken in by his charismatic persona and they will soon begin a relationship. There's a most solid cast in the movie, including Gabriel Byrne and Michael Gambon.

Unfortunately, the film itself despite its fine cast, became a real slog for me to stay with, with its very deliberate pacing and quite depressive tone. Also, for whatever reason I wasn't able to really connect with the characters as presented.

Overall, I thought this drama had some quite interesting aspects to it, but I was not able to emotionally connect with the characters here , and combined with the other factors as mentioned, I can't say it was entertaining.