Condemned

"Condemned" makes a lucid statement regarding social prejudices surrounding mental illness and their impact on criminal justice. The film, through its skillful cinematography and variant pacing, portrays the confining and distorting effects of abuse on a developing personality. Director Aclan Bates clearly has a strong rapport with his actors. The dialogue is a profound distillate, thanks to Aclan and Leslie Bates. The sound editing is powerful, mirroring the psychological entrapment of Issac, the prisoner, well-conceived and deftly executed by Shane Godwin, who ought to receive top billing. Tore Birkedahl as Pierro is very well cast and finds his voice in this role. Other actors give an emotional performance, particularly Nick Roberts as Issac's Father. The only character I found unconvincing was the Priest, played by Phil Hawn, who appears to limit the scope of his interpretation to a stereotype.

Significant topics are often heavy-handed, and "Condemned" could have easily fallen into such a trap. Instead, the material is treated with adroit sensitivity, distinguishing meaning from meaningfulness. I recommend this film, an indication of long and solid careers for many of the talents involved.

"Condemned" is an extraordinary look into the mind of a schizophrenic, the colors and visions creating a maze that connects Isaac's hallucinations to the real world of a prison cell. The director has elicited performances from the cast that fill the screen to the dimensions of a feature film. The story is about a man on death row for the murder of his parents, and if anyone ever wonders how a mentally disordered person might get there, this film gives an answer. All the elements of the film -- music, production design, editing, story, and direction -- are beautifully orchestrated to create a true screen adventure into a sick mind.

This film is a visual kaleidoscope of color and images -- all of them real, not animation. This color waterfall lends an unreal tone to an even more disturbing situation. The acting, design and music carry the watcher through the mind of a schizophrenic like the car on a rollercoaster carries the rider through the turns and falls. Well done.

I had no expectations going in to see "Condemned," but I have great expectations now. The issues are today's issues, the style is today's style, and this could be tomorrow's feature film. The story is all there, but with more detail and intrigue, the story could more than fill a feature length period. I hope to see something in the near future.

This film may not be for everyone, but it was definitely for me. If you have any doubts about your sanity or have anger management problems, you might identify with the lead character, Isaac. But he's lovable at the same time! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.