Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment
Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment

Movie spotlight

Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment

1966
Movie
97 min
English

Morgan, an aggressive and self-admitted dreamer, a fantasist who uses his flights of fancy as refuge from external reality, where his unconventional behavior lands him in a divorce from his wife, Leonie, trouble with the police and, ultimately, incarceration in a lunatic asylum.

Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes88%
Metacritic78/100
Google Users90%
Director: Karel ReiszGenres: Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

Morgan is a highly individualistic and increasingly unstable working-class Marxist who struggles to come to terms with his impending divorce from his upper-class wife, Leonie. His eccentric and often violent attempts to win her back, including kidnapping her and holding her hostage in his own room, escalate as his grip on reality loosens. The film chronicles his descent into madness, set against the backdrop of a Britain grappling with social and political change.

Critical Reception

The film was critically acclaimed for its bold, innovative style and its powerful portrayal of a disturbed individual. David Warner's performance was widely praised, and the film was seen as a significant work of the British New Wave, exploring themes of class, politics, and mental health with dark humor and an unflinching gaze.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its raw energy and challenging subject matter.

  • David Warner's performance is a tour de force, capturing the character's volatility.

  • Lauded for its dark humor and its insightful, albeit bleak, social commentary.

Google audience: Audiences found the film to be a compelling and often disturbing character study. Many appreciated its unconventional approach and the powerful performances, though some found its themes and style challenging.

Awards & Accolades

BAFTA Award for Best British Screenplay (David Mercer), Nominated for Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The film's unconventional style and exploration of mental illness were considered quite radical for its time, contributing to its status as a landmark film of the British New Wave.

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