David and Lisa

David and Lisa is a deeply affecting, elegant exploration of two troubled teens discovering the redemptive power of empathy and connection. Directed by Frank Perry and scripted by his wife, Eleanor Perry, this 1962 psychological drama stars Keir Dullea, Janet Margolin, and Howard Da Silva.

The film opens with David Clemens, portrayed by Keir Dulla, admitted to a therapeutic school due to his obsessive-compulsive disorder surrounding death and human touch. David is severely obsessed with cleanliness and death, to the point where he compulsively washes his hands and sleeps in an entirely closed room to ensure he’s entirely isolated from any sort of physical contact. He sees death as the only legit real escape and detests the idea of physical touch to an extent his mind automatically generates a violent scenario as a reflex.

Keir Dullea immaculately delivers David's intense solitude and isolation, his angst underscored by the fear of losing control, of being ‘like everyone else,’ mirroring the tumultuous, insecure sentiments of contemporary adolescence. His strange intensity and austere demeanour provide a stark contrast to his eccentric and dynamic surroundings.

Then enters Lisa (played brilliantly by Janet Margolin), a schizophrenic young girl who communicates only in rhymes and refuses to sleep for fear her other personality, the silent, sullen Muriel, will take over. Lisa's character, rife with her own unique fears and obsessions, serves as an unusual impetus for David's transformation. The portrayal of Lisa by Margolin is compelling due to the oscillation between two personalities that she navigates through, one of which communicates solely in rhymes while the alter ego remains completely non-verbal.

Meanwhile, as he contends with his own fears, David forges an unusual bond with Lisa under the watchful eye and guidance of psychiatrist Alan Swinford (played by Howard Da Silva). Howard Da Silva delivers an insightful performance as the compassionate psychiatrist, Dr. Swinford, rendering a soothing sense of stability and wisdom to the tumultuous world of David and Lisa.

The movie beautifully toes the line between intense drama and the tenderness of troubled youth. It explores their relationship that ultimately provides a path for understanding, acceptance and genuine connection, against the backdrop of their shared tribulations and their struggle to converge in a society that often dismisses their complexities as abnormal. The film demonstrates how empathy and genuine understanding can help individuals heal and shapes our perception of mental health by pulling back the curtain on conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder and dissociative identity disorder.

David and Lisa's strange, progressing friendship presents a transformative journey, a heartwarming narrative meticulously constructed to unravel the complexities of human emotions and mental health. Perry's use of extended close-ups and stark black and white cinematography bolster the deeply personal feel, heightening every raw emotion, every struggle, lending a profound veracity to the narrative.

Moreover, David and Lisa's exploration of the causes and effects of their respective mental illnesses is enlightening without being preachy — a delicate balancing act achieved through nuanced screenwriting and compelling performances by the cast. Perry's decision to use an intimate, almost claustrophobic visual style amplifies the emotional intensity, making the audience feel as if they are experiencing the characters' struggles internally.

In the end, David and Lisa offers a thought-provoking, emotional insight into mental health, unrequited love, understanding, and acceptance. Not just another teen love story, the film explores the core of human connections and delves into the complexities of mental health and the struggles faced by individuals grappling with these realities - painting a poignant portrait of two disturbed individuals finding solace in each other.

David and Lisa is a groundbreaking film of its time, tackling themes rarely discussed openly in the 1960s. Decades later, it continues to resonate with its raw portrayal of youth wrestling with inner demons, the healing power of empathy, and the distressing realities of mental illness. This classic film has much to offer to both cinema enthusiasts and those seeking to gain insight into mental health issues.