Louis Theroux: By Reason of Insanity

March. 22,2015      
Rating:
7.6
Trailer Synopsis Cast

Louis investigates Ohio's state psychiatric hospitals, meeting patients who have committed crimes but have been found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Louis Theroux as  Himself

Reviews

Exoticalot
2015/03/22

People are voting emotionally.

... more
SnoReptilePlenty
2015/03/23

Memorable, crazy movie

... more
Zandra
2015/03/24

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

... more
Scarlet
2015/03/25

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

... more
bob the moo
2015/03/26

Louis Theroux does not always seem sincere in what he does; he plays the innocent abroad very well – even when he is basically feeding a ropes to his subjects to let them go the hanging themselves. In this documentary he does play his neutral self, but he does so to good effect rather than to trick or trap. In doing this the 2-part documentary treats its subjects with respect – even when what they say has scope for mockery or comedy (such as the reason for someone driving recklessly).In doing this he lets the subject speak for itself, and it is a chilling subject. The wider question of what is to be done, what defines insanity, and the treatment of those involved, all sit behind an array of characters who range from the eccentric to the chilling. The documentary gives them time and is not shy about what crimes they had committed; it is a tough watch in many ways as one thinks of the lives affected – both perpetrator and victims. Theroux explores the subject really well; he doesn't push anyone even when he is asking them tough questions – he does have a knack for getting people to open up as he does here.It is a little unsatisfying in the way in which doesn't provide a great sense of closure – but then to be fair, the point is that there are no easy answers to any of it.

... more