Johanna Ferman

I have a combined prism in seeing and thinking about this film: as a public psychiatrist with years in New York City and State government/overseeing public policy (formerly as the Deputy Commissioner for the State(some 30+ years ago when it was actually intent on preventing this kaleidoscope of horror) and former NYC resident. What endures from the film? Phoenix' performance ..The brilliance of Phoenix's acting -- which is beyond anything I've seen him do. In itself -- a reason to see the film. The film ..the deeply unfortunate comingling of this kind of serial killer insanity with the real and legitimate outrage of the impoverished and oppressed -- all pouring onto the screen in Haolloween havoc. Both are REAL, both have legitimate roots -- but neither represents the multi-fceted nture of 'truth' and the more nuanced picture needed to carve a path toward social justice and sane policy/both public and corporate. ...the potential impact in people's minds? --that the entire 'protest movement' is about violent wild rioting in the streets, and that the mentally ill are in general violent and to be locked up. -- that Black women (note the two in social service roles) -- are disinterested, passive victims of a system shutting down on everyone -- instead of the reality, I have seen first hand -- in the the many who come into these systems with deep compassion and caring becoming quite extraordinary leaders in the fight for system reform. .. with the brush tarnishing the MAJORITY of the seriously mentally ill -- who are not only not violent, but most often preyed upon...by bruts, comedians and politicians alike. ..the overly long, tendentious plot and screen play -- where an hour in I found myself looking at my watch in the dark...hoping to 'see' it was time for an exit tells me more about the 'film' than anything...

Depp utterly brilliant...towering performance..(!!) The filmography exquisite. the music vivid.Compelling. But alas..the sound track ..understanding the vocalized script...not good..at about 30-40% incomprehensible... Making it a tough slog. Giving it a 4 because of this ..but worth seeing because of all the rest.. And Depp’s performance..worth seeing just for his performance!! (Some pretty nasty characters!!)