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Mad Love (1995) More at IMDbPro »

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51 comments in total

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6 out of 8 people found the following comment useful :-
...by any other name, 30 June 2003
Author: echolalien from Sydney, Australia

It seems like the title of this movie was chosen at the last minute by the guy in the business suit. "So it's about a coupla teenagers, let's say they're 'in love', and one of them has mental problems, let's call her crazy..." The film itself though, I think, resists cliches, especially the fact that the four letter word (love) was avoided, which has a tendency to suck dry any useful plot content that might be found in a movie, opting for some different ways of illustrating their relationship. The two main characters are well portrayed, and believable. I think Barrymore and O'Donnell hold together something that may not have great elements like soundtrack, plot originality etc, because despite the fact that Drew's eyebrows really annoyed me, they both did a good job.

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3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Seriously Underrated Drama, Two Outstanding Performances!, 7 June 2007

Author: Fiendish_Dramaturgy from .: Fiendish Writings in the Dark :.

This is a love story, of sorts, which conflicts the viewer in that it tenderly presents this tragic heroine and then shocks the audience by eloquently demonstrating the ins and outs of the moderate-to-severe bi-polar disorder, with which the heroine attempts to live.

(The mother states her daughter suffers from depression, but Drew's depiction does NOT indicate depression alone. There are extreme highs and bottom-dipping lows, which would be more indicative of manic depression or bi-polar disorder than depression alone. Not to minimize the life-changing effects of clinical or chemical depression, because I'm not.)

Drew generates a stellar performance here, and fully sells the range of emotions her character experiences. Her portrayal is dead on perfect; in not just the disease itself, but her depth and range here is nothing short of phenomenal.

Chris O'Donnell is not as lacking as some would make one believe. He contributes an adequate performance as a young man without a clue; therefore, his character is vastly disliked because he comes off as clueless, and movie-goers associated him with the character. Go figure.

This work is seriously underrated, primarily due to the unsatisfactorily heart-wrenching ending, but also due to the audiences inability to conceive of Drew as anything but bubbly and intelligent. She customarily takes parts in which her character is put in a sweet (if rose-colored) light, whereas her role herein is quite edgy and tragic.

The screenplay itself is not solid. The flux is very fluid within this story. The only solid thing here are the performances by Drew and Chris, and the profound sadness and sense of loss experienced by its viewers via the execution of the story line.

I actually enjoyed this, though the ending IS unsettling and fails to satisfy.

It rates an 8.4/10 from...

the Fiend :.

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4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :-
Bad movie, excellent acting..., 15 May 2003

Author: The_Core from Seattle, WA. USA

Like many other reviewers, I feel this is a poor movie (screenplay), but Drew really captures the feeling of mental illness. I've known some people who are manic depressive (and a few schizophrenics) and I have to say that Drew must have some personal knowledge of severe depression to be able to pull off a performance like this. She really elevates the movie from a 2-bit teen romance and makes it worth watching. I'm not generally a fan (*hated* Donnie Darko) and I usually find her childish "damaged goods" image rather irritating even though it may be her real personality, but in this one she just embodies the part. 6/10.

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3 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
My Review, 12 June 2006

Author: amywynn217 from United States

In this movie the mother states that she suffers from Clinical Depression; however, her behavior dictates a different mental illness, that is Bipolar Disorder. I'm not saying that people who are clinically depressed can't be happy, but the behavior that Casey exhibits is one of severe mood swings mirroring that of your classic bipolar disorder. As someone who suffers from a debilitating mental illness, I am keenly aware of movies like this and this one hit a little too close to home for me. I only saw it last night and I'm still upset by it. I, too, suffer from Bipolar Disorder and saw so many things in Casey's character that I used to be. I felt that this movie was raw, real and told a very good story. The movie also helped with the horrible stigma that no one can love someone with a serious mental illness. It is possible for those of us who suffer from it to have meaningful relationships as well as be accepted for who we are.

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4 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
I can relate..., 10 November 2004
Author: goescrunch from Ga, USA

Well, I have to say I really did like this movie. I went in expecting to hate it. I really tried hard to hate it. Normally I hate the "romantic mush" type films, but... this movie actually transcended that. Instead of focusing mainly on the love, they focused on the mental illness. Heh, I have some issues myself, so I was able to relate quite a bit to her character. I'm severely agoraphobic, so I'd never run away, lol. I love Drew Barrymore. I think she's sexy through and through, absolutely adorable to boot. I will give any movie with her in it a chance. Some I loathe, some I like, some I love. "NEVER BEEN KISSED" is one that I loathe... But oh my, she was so cute! - I say everyone should give this movie a chance. Ignore the "violent" behavior and the irrational behavior, because you can't properly portray such a mental illness without it. I also don't think a movie dealing with mental illness to this depth should be rated R. I love that this film showed that those of us with mental illness are people too. We too have feelings. I wish I'd watched it sooner rather than just assuming I'd probably not like it.

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6 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :-
My favorite bad movie, 31 March 2002

Author: leona-5 from Canada

"Mad Love" isn't one of the all time great films, however it is my favorite bad movie. I think that Drew Barrymore is charming and this movie allows her to be a little crazy and very beautiful. Chris O'Donnell is definately eye candy in this little gem. The filmmakers tried to use colour and imagery in an artistic manner. Watch the blue and whites of the film, and check out the symbolic use of butterflies. Although the usage isn't necessarily intellectual, there is a valient stab at being artistic. I think that another interesting aspect of this film is in comparing it to "Scent of a Woman". I feel that these two films are essentially the same, with the notable exception of Al Pacino vs. Drew Barrymore. Really though, "Scent of A Woman" has Chris as a good boy who goes on the lam with Al. Al does all sorts of crazy things, such as driving despite being blind, and eventually holds a gun to Chris. In "Mad Love", Chris is a good boy who goes on the lam with Drew. Drew does all sorts of crazy things, such as covering Chris' eyes while he is driving, and eventually holds a gun to Chris. Coincidence??

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2 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Not bad, 11 July 2006
Author: themovieman3000 from UK

Mad Love stars Chris O Donnell, who sets his sights on high school love, Drew Barrymore.

Unfortunately, the girl he dates does not come across as the average teenager. She suffers from severe depression and this becomes progressive. The outbursts and mental problems threaten to break up the otherwise close relationship but to his credit, O Donnell sticks by her and his love for her becomes clear.

The pair are real opposites but carry a unique love for each other. Leland is the caring, hard-working, clever, shy and conscientious type whilst Roberts is the outgoing, partying and slacking girl, always out for a bit of fun.

Its hard for the guy to begin with but he fits the bill perfectly, low-key and probably slightly shy in reality, really does translate well to the big screen. His tentative first steps to love are shown and arguably, there is not really a better talent out there to slip on the shoes of Leland.

The relationship becomes frustrating but as with any other romantic drama, there are always strains on the relationship. One tends to feel sorry for O Donnell but at the same time, holds much respect for the guy. This could be a very real situation, minus some of the slightly overblown depressive outbursts from Barrymore. There is also the added say from both parents whilst Donnell tries to keep his feet on the ground with his SAT's and everything but ends up giving way to the girl he loves so much. At the end of the day, there is really no substitute.

So, to conclude, O Donnell excels in a masterful albeit low-key role with a half-decent Barrymore to throw in some light-hearted and serious, sad scenes.

Not a bad movie at all. 7/10.

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2 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Mad Love - An Interesting Drama/Romance, 16 November 2004
Author: kola_dom

Chris O'Donnell heats up the screen and Drew Barrymore is at her sensual best in this motion picture about two teens who take an adventure together against parental wishes. I admit the first time I saw this movie last summer I didn't like it at all. But when I gave it a second try, I actually found it was really good. Because the movie isn't packed with laughs or memorable quotes, I had missed a lot of what made the movie such a good one in it's subtle, yet charming way (the first time I saw it). When I watched it a second time, however, I payed a lot more attention to the movie itself and saw that it did have delight, great acting talent and other positive notes. As well as this, the directing was fine and there were some really good shots through the characters' road trip in the movie. This is one interesting picture. A must-see! Rating: Three out of Five stars.

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'Romantic' adventure, 25 November 2008

Author: Tracy_Terry_Moore from Marina del Rey, CA

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Drew Barrymore is committed temporarily to a mental ward and everything is fine for awhile until her idiot boyfriend Chris O'Donnell gets the bright idea to 'rescue' her and take her on the lam with him.

The two fugitives begin their journey in Seattle and decide to head for Mexico. (Note to Chris: the Canadien border is only a few miles to the north - never mind).

During this time, our 'heroes' drive blindfolded on a dangerous cliff, Chris steals a man's truck, and Drew gets the urge to play Russian roulette in the desert. Before long, Drew is in the ward again and Chris goes back to being A GUY DREW WOULD NEVER WASTE HER TIME ON.

Aimless and stupid, but Drew is totally cute.

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Did I see a different movie then most?, 13 August 2007

Author: Jeff Wright from Seattle, WA, USA

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I can't fathom why so many people have called this a "romantic comedy". It is in no way a comedy and while there is a romance that carries along with it, the plot isn't about the romance. It's about mental illness and how it affects the person and those around them.

It felt like the ending as intended was when the doors closed behind Drew's character as she entered the hospital. The narrated ending seems tacked on, probably had too many people at the screenings that didn't care for whatever was the original ending. The studio perhaps felt pressure to make it a bit more upbeat and hopeful. I didn't mind an upbeat ending too much though, I'm generally a sucker for "Hollywood" endings. Plus it didn't seem to take away anything from her suffering. She's doing better with the help of doctors, not magically cured.

As for Chris O'Donnell's performance, I thought it was fine. He didn't stand out and I don't think he was supposed to. His character was supposed to be a bit shy and geeky. This was obvious from the scenes leading up to him talking to Drew's character.

As a disclaimer I like Drew Barrymore in everything I've seen her in, not necessarily the movie, but her performance at least. This has to be not only one of her best performances but one of the best performances in a film period. Yes, a lot of people would disagree with me but for anyone who has known someone suffering from depression and especially bi-polar disorder I think they'd agree she portrayed it amazingly well.

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