Crazy, Not Insane

Crazy, Not Insane, released in 2020, is an introspective deep-dive into the mind's abyss and a captivating exploration of unthinkable criminal acts. Produced by HBO Documentary Films, this monographic narration is directed and executed in an exceptional way that pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling, with an outstanding presence of Dr. Dorothy Otnow Lewis, a premier forensic psychiatrist at the helm.

Dr. Lewis with her decades of first-hand experience, becomes the cornerstone of the film and the primary source of the narrative. Her life's work has been to study, understand, and reveal the complex multidimensional aspects of the human mind, specifically focused on the minds of those whom society labels as monsters - the serial killers. Within the boundaries of 'Crazy, Not Insane,' she unfolds her lifetime's investigation on understanding what makes a murderer, depending on various factors including childhood abuse, neurological disorders, and the mental trauma that can induce dissociation and multiple personality conditions.

Crazy, Not Insane is not a film for the faint-hearted. It enters into the grim world of some of the most notorious serial killers, including Ted Bundy and Arthur Shawcross, sharing chilling, sometimes horrifying audio and video interview clips during Dr. Lewis's interaction with these criminals. Film also features Catherine Yeager, a former special assistant to Dr. Lewis, and Richard Burr, a defense attorney for some of the killers mentioned, both contributing to the rich expertise and narrative texture of the movie.

That said, this film is much more than merely a study of killers. The inclusion of Richard Burr gives the audience a critical perspective on the hotly contested death penalty. Burr's stance offers a balance to Dr.Lewis's assertions and takes the viewers through an ethical labyrinth making them evaluate not just the acts of the criminals but the implications of the societal framework and law systems dealing with them.

The film is also a subtle commentary on the state of mental health understanding and its importance. Dr. Lewis's perspective on these killers not being born but rather shaped through a brutal combination of physical, psychological, and social factors, is eye-opening. The movie makes you realize how easily we categorize people as cold-blooded killers without attempting to understand the underpinning issues or providing fundamental help that might have prevented the disastrous path they wound up on.

The director of Crazy, Not Insane, Alex Gibney, remarkably presents this raw, harrowing truth about the complexity and fallibility of the human mind. He crafts the narrative in a calculated, clinical manner, making use of Dr. Lewis's personal archives, which include homemade video footage of her interviews and tapes of recorded autopsies. These often-distressing visuals are justified by the pressing need to confront and comprehend the reality beneath the surface. That, combined with the thoughtful care put into re-enactments, animations, and dramatized voices, creates a sense of discomforting intimacy, inviting the audience to get up close with the staggering realities surrounding mental health anomalies.

However, it's not all darkness. There are pockets of light in the cinematic journey of Crazy, Not Insane. Gibney, while maintaining a profound degree of empathy and respect for Dr. Lewis, also showcases her quirks and human frailty. Dr. Lewis's affinity for collecting dolls, her process of decompressing from work by playing the piano, her occasional burst of humor - they all serve as warmly humanizing facets amid such bleak subject matter.

Crazy, Not Insane is a documentary that carefully treads the line between horrific and enlightening. Its exploration of one woman's pursuit of truth amid some of humanity's darkest corners is both a testament to her courage and a chilling reminder of the hidden layers that compose the human psyche.

It forces us to think, to question our stance on mental health, and to consider the potential lurking in disregarded corners of the mind. Prepare to be disturbed, to be moved, and most importantly, to grow in understanding and empathy once you dive into this compelling viewing experience.