Illness (2013) User Reviews

This is one of the greatest short films ever made.

[harrysilver75 · 10/10 · 19 September 2013]

Though it's true that this is not the type of movie you want to sit down with the family and eat popcorn, the emotional drive of the picture, the story's poignant messages, and the amazing acting of the cast draws you into a world that is both dangerous and unpredictable.

Bucari is able to take you into action and make you feel as if you are a participant in the movie and not just a viewer. The young Noah Silverman is simply extraordinary. I wouldn't be surprised if he wins some awards for his performance in this film.

I give this movie my highest recommendation. Illness is a movie that makes you realize how life is precious.

Great short

[TimTryon86 · 9/10 · 24 September 2013]

I was able to catch this short at the North West Ohio Film Festival. Really solid work from all involved. The central performance by Cheryl Allison as a mother dealing with her child's mental illness was particularly effective. I would highly recommend this short. It was filmed gorgeously and contained an emotional punch at the end. I was not expecting where it would go in such a short time. Not sure how shorts are distributed. But I could see this as a feature film one day perhaps. Certainly not a feel good movie. But it contains statistics that people need to know. Also good performances from the two younger actors. Overall a very good film.

Amazing! Could be an Oscar Winner film!

[sebdean5678 · 10/10 · 21 September 2013]

Wow, I think I need to calm down a bit. I was skeptic at first to see this movie but I don't regret it! I saw Illness during the Northwest Ohio Film Festival and I was blown away. I honestly wasn't expecting this. It was so intense and powerful! This movie has everything; a terrific story based on true events, outstanding acting, excitement, tears, blood and it holds you tight until the end. I can't stop thinking about it!

The young actors carry this film magnificently. Noah Silverman was so good and convincing in this movie that I could not believe my own eyes and ears.

I don't know what to write anymore, I'm still calming down. I'm going to stop now and finish the review with this sentence: If Illness gets an Oscar nomination for Best Short, it deserves to win. Just go see Illness and Noah Silverman, his acting will blow your mind.

Stunningly accurate look at the bipolar life!

[jdgossing22 · 10/10 · 20 November 2013]

I am bi-polar. I have been that way since I was a child. I am approaching 60. I have been in treatment for many years. There have been relapses and time spent in hospitals. There have been good times. Before I received good treated, I left a trail of emotional, professional, and relational disaster behind me. It broke apart the lives of others as much as it did my own.

I did not know what to expect from this movie. It is a stunningly accurate trip into the mind of a bipolar sufferer. It shows the disease from the outside, too. It is amazing in its accuracy. The mood swings and the detachment from reality.

The brilliance of this movie is the balance struck between the near violent emotional outbursts and the sharp, exacting words spouted by each of the characters. SO CLOSE TO HOME! The music deserves special mention. It is very unique and varied, with each song serving an exact purpose. When the music strikes a harmony with the scene, the movie is all the stronger.

Most Enjoyable Film of 2013 So Far

This GREAT film is worth a watch!

[charliejen3345 · 10/10 · 2 December 2013]

This film is a brilliant, well-acted masterpiece! What touched me the most was Noah Silverman's acting, but all of the young actors performances were incredible.

They are why you should see this film. Illness is not a bubblegum Disney film, nor a dry Hollywood film; it is a movie that captures mental health issues in a poignant, non-candy coated manner that is dead on. I saw this movie only a couple months ago and was blown away by it's style and acting. It is rare that you see such fresh, relaxed and deep performances that the actors in this film offered. Although this is not a feature film, it is a genuine, inspiring short that is so refreshing-being so different than the films Hollywood often gives us. I give this film a 10+ and recommend it to everyone. You will benefit from it's message and it's wonderful acting.

The whole cast was simply brilliant!

[benchastinero667 · 10/10 · 20 November 2013]

This outstanding short film has about the best acting that you'll ever see, and that alone makes this a must-see.

The entire cast is excellent. It didn't take me long to get hooked on this film, and aside from a school scene that is merely good, this is top-notch story. This is a rare film that actually deserved all the awards recognition that it received.

See it for yourself and you will definitely not be disappointed.

I consider myself lucky that I got to view such a wonderful movie with two marvelous actors: Cheryl Allison and Noah Silverman. Illness was great to me because I was able to relate to it.

Realistic

[alberou222 · 9/10 · 24 January 2014]

I work in the field, and have seen almost every dysfunctional, antisocial, nasty behavior shown here in the last month.

I saw this film in L.A. and have never forgotten it. Illness is much, much greater than the sum of it's parts. The movie, loosely, is about an adolescent who suffers from a mental disorder.

This film has so much promise, and has had so many recommendations. My hopes were really high. Illness is well worth the time.

Last, I felt that the movie told me a lot about a very sensitive topic and it needs to be seen by more people.

Hopefully, its writer-director will come-up with a feature length version of the film in the near future.

Chaotically Beautiful, finally a movie that makes you feel like you fit in!

[francois-retin2 · 10/10 · 3 January 2014]

I saw this movie during the Southampton International Film Festival, in early October 2013, and had been anticipating to see it for some time. The reviews were full of praise and if the award and nomination count was anything to go by, I knew I would be entertained.

As the movie began I found myself a little confused by the chaos in which director decided to film this movie, but as the story got a shape and I became familiar with the characters I found myself appreciating this way of filming.

This movie is one that deals with mental disorder, which are no laughing feat. Soon enough you find yourself caring for these characters.

This is not a movie you should go see if you wish to sit back and not think. I believe you cannot truly appreciate the beauty of Illness if you do not take the time to analyze the characters and their actions.

This film needs to be a feature film, not a short!

Great depiction of how Mental Illness effects the whole family

[abev12 · 10/10 · 11 August 2014]

Illness grabbed hold of me and hasn't let go. Being in the Substance Abuse/Mental Health field for 30 years I know the frustrations patients, family members, providers, advocates go through to help provide proper care with limited resources and very frustrating insurance constraints. I also have had family members go through problems with children etc. We all know someone. I can't wait to see the full length picture. I hope it will bring more awareness to the problem and help advocate for more solutions and relief for caregivers.

The acting felt so real to me also. I felt like I was a fly on the wall of this family. It is very hard to accomplish that in 13 minutes.

I can't stop thinking about scenes in this movie!

[kethanss2 · 10/10 · 11 August 2014]

I recently watched the film and loved it. But this movie isn't for just anyone. I had a sneak preview last night... what a beautiful film. The visuals are something you will remember, the acting is superb, the cast (the kids as the young students and the older kids), the horror of "the illness" and then the unveiling of the reason for "hope" they cling to. One of the best reasons to see this movie is that you will need to think about topics you have not ever grappled with before. Your memories and opinions of this movie should be haunting and unforgettable. It is not a happily-ever-after film and is quiet, slow, and deep. The music is wonderful. Think of this as a foreign film and go with that in mind.