Mad Love (1995)

A strait laced high school student (Chris O'Donnell) finds himself attracted to the new girl in school, a quirky and eccentric rebel (Drew Barrymore). When her parents (Joan Allen, Jude Ciccolella) have her placed in a psychiatric institute after a suicide attempt, he breaks her out and they hit the road together. Directed by Antonia Bird, I have mixed feelings about the film. On a positive note, there's a terrific performance by Drew Barrymore, quite possibly the best she's given. She doesn't go over the top as many actors playing mentally unstable people do but very gradually peels away the layers until we realize her eccentricity and "free spirit" is actually mental illness. On the downside, if we can see it then why does it take so long for O'Donnell to grasp it? His behavior is irresponsible. We can understand her irresponsibility because of her illness but what's his excuse? I suppose if we take the film's title literally then perhaps O'Donnell goes a little "mad" too. I could have gladly done without the film's incessant rock soundtrack which distracts from the gravity of the situation. With Liev Schreiber and Matthew Lillard.