This is a very, very bizarre documentary about a very, very sick couple. In addition to this film, the story of their relationship was also chronicled in the book "A Very Different Love Story".
In the late 1950s, Burt Pugach was a shyster lawyer who was married with a kid. However, Linda Riss did not know he was married and dated Burt for some time. When she realized he was already married, she broke off the relationship. During this time, Burt harassed and threatened her repeatedly. On the day she was to marry another man, some guys threw acid in Linda's face and disfigured and blinded her. It turned out Burt had paid the man to do this.
So far, the story is sad and a bit shocking--but that's NOT the end of the story. While in prison for 14 years, Burt harassed Linda by writing to her no matter how often she moved. Despite this, he was paroled--even though they knew he was harassing her. Now here's the punchline--when he was released, the two freaks married each other!!! So,...the guy has lye thrown in her face and goes to prison for it...and THEN she married the guy?!? Believe it or not, the story gets even weirder, as Burt was a horrible man. Years later, Burt began threatening another lady with blinding while still married to Linda--at which point Linda came to Burt's defense!!!! I know all this sounds pretty much like an episode of "The Jerry Springer Show" and it is very compelling--in a sick and twisted way! Okay, now that the outline of this sick story has been given, let's talk about Burt and Linda. Burt's easy to figure out--he's a sociopathic scum without a conscience and quick to portray himself as a victim! His behavior while he's in jail awaiting his trial and in prison and in recent years proves he's the lowest of the low--the very worst stereotype of the sleaziest lawyer. Plus throughout the whole documentary he seemed unrepentant and actually enjoyed the attention. However, Linda is the real enigma. She sounds normal and said how much she hated him for the attack....but how does this explain what she later did?!? It was absolutely surreal how she rose to his defense in the second case and proclaimed his innocence. A Hollywood movie couldn't have been any more dramatic and weird.
The film is very well made--with excellent direction and composition. I have no complaints about how they made this film--my only complaints are about this crazy couple!!! But it sure makes for an excellent film that you just can't stop watching!!
By the way, near the very end, I just couldn't believe Burt saying "I just can't believe what the courts have done with me"--gee what a putz! Also, this relationship would be described most likely as a "shared psychotic disorder" according to the DSM-IV--they're both very, very disturbed and feed on each other.
In the late 1950s, Burt Pugach was a shyster lawyer who was married with a kid. However, Linda Riss did not know he was married and dated Burt for some time. When she realized he was already married, she broke off the relationship. During this time, Burt harassed and threatened her repeatedly. On the day she was to marry another man, some guys threw acid in Linda's face and disfigured and blinded her. It turned out Burt had paid the man to do this.
So far, the story is sad and a bit shocking--but that's NOT the end of the story. While in prison for 14 years, Burt harassed Linda by writing to her no matter how often she moved. Despite this, he was paroled--even though they knew he was harassing her. Now here's the punchline--when he was released, the two freaks married each other!!! So,...the guy has lye thrown in her face and goes to prison for it...and THEN she married the guy?!? Believe it or not, the story gets even weirder, as Burt was a horrible man. Years later, Burt began threatening another lady with blinding while still married to Linda--at which point Linda came to Burt's defense!!!! I know all this sounds pretty much like an episode of "The Jerry Springer Show" and it is very compelling--in a sick and twisted way! Okay, now that the outline of this sick story has been given, let's talk about Burt and Linda. Burt's easy to figure out--he's a sociopathic scum without a conscience and quick to portray himself as a victim! His behavior while he's in jail awaiting his trial and in prison and in recent years proves he's the lowest of the low--the very worst stereotype of the sleaziest lawyer. Plus throughout the whole documentary he seemed unrepentant and actually enjoyed the attention. However, Linda is the real enigma. She sounds normal and said how much she hated him for the attack....but how does this explain what she later did?!? It was absolutely surreal how she rose to his defense in the second case and proclaimed his innocence. A Hollywood movie couldn't have been any more dramatic and weird.
The film is very well made--with excellent direction and composition. I have no complaints about how they made this film--my only complaints are about this crazy couple!!! But it sure makes for an excellent film that you just can't stop watching!!
By the way, near the very end, I just couldn't believe Burt saying "I just can't believe what the courts have done with me"--gee what a putz! Also, this relationship would be described most likely as a "shared psychotic disorder" according to the DSM-IV--they're both very, very disturbed and feed on each other.