Of Two Minds

Co-directors Lisa Klein and Doug Blush's Of Two Minds focuses on three people with bipolar disorder, offering insight into their worlds of exhilarating highs and crushing lows. Between interviews, the filmmakers incorporate comments from authors, activists, and psychiatrists (a segment about a shop that sells "psycho" donuts adds levity, but doesn't really fit). Cheri, a Los Angeles makeup artist, experienced hallucinations for the first time when she was eight years old, but didn't receive a diagnosis until she was 31, by which time she had attempted suicide, divorced, and moved 37 times. Cheri, who is involved with a bipolar man, can't find an insurance company willing to take her on, and spends hundreds of dollars a month on medications and therapy. Liz, a Philadelphia writer, was in college when she experienced her first hallucination. After a psychotic episode, Liz found out the reason behind her severe mood swings, which she would later write about in a column for The Philadelphia Weekly. Carlton, a 65-year-old Pasadena architectural artist, also attempted suicide and fell prey to crack addiction. For much of his life, he had trouble holding down jobs and blamed his traumatic childhood. For both Liz and Carlton, sexual assault exacerbated their symptoms. Blush and Klein (who lost her bipolar sister to suicide) also speak with the family and friends of Miya, who took her life when she could no longer stand the pain. Two other subjects, Petey and Jenifer, receive less attention, but still add valuable commentary. DVD extras include interviews with experts and a short film about Toronto's Mad Parade. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)