10 Days in a Madhouse

Name: 10 Days in a Madhouse
Genre: Drama
Released: November 11, 2015
Duration: 111 min

2015

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10 Days In A Madhouse

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Movie Details & Credits

Release Date: November 11, 2015 | R

Summary: In 1887, 23 year-old reporter Nellie Bly, working for publisher Joseph Pulitzer, feigns mental illness to go undercover in notorious Blackwell's Island Woman's Insane Asylum to expose corruption, abuse and murder.

Director: Timothy Hines

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 111 min

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MinTyTaylor

Jan 20, 2016

Sitting in the theater, I squirmed in my seat, impatient for the movie to begin and finally see Nellie Bly up on the big screen.

Well, okay. Cards on the table, I didn't really know anything about Nellie Bly before discovering this movie, save a few passing remembrances of grade schoolSitting in the theater, I squirmed in my seat, impatient for the movie to begin and finally see Nellie Bly up on the big screen.

Well, okay. Cards on the table, I didn't really know anything about Nellie Bly before discovering this movie, save a few passing remembrances of grade school history classes various "important people to know" but I should have! Come on, a badass feminist icon getting a film all about her? Yes please. So finally, when the screen projected the familiar green rating sign and the lights dim in the theater, the first images of the film appeared.

At first I was a bit skeptical - a medical room, a woman being held down while being watched over by a well groomed authoritarian looking man (what turns out to be a fascinatingly complicated and quietly tragic performance by Christopher Lambert). The chilling scene is well done, but familiar. Oppressed girls, cruel white men, tears. Everything is terrible.

Was this what the film was going to be? I laid back in my seat, preparing myself to settle in for two hours of thrashing, beatings, and crying women, watching Nellie's spirit be broken by the system. oh what a world, isn't it Nellie? But then the movie surprised me.

After the opening credits had rolled, (an unsettling yet mesmerizing slideshow of old photographs, slowly having been made to move- listing slightly to one side, or a rogue arm waving hauntingly back at the audience) the movie begins on a different note, we are finally introduced to a chipper bright eyed Nellie Bly (played by the equally exuberant newcomer Caroline Barry) as she approaches an old timey news building.

Bly's incessant smile is almost comical, in fact being pointed out and chastised as she talks to a superior inside the news building. It's there that she gets her famous marching orders - to feign insanity to get into 'the madhouse'- Blackwell's lunatic Asylum. Just these first 20 minutes of the movie prove a nice reprieve from the intensity of the opening scene, even having a few fun borderline silly moments and touching performances.

And Bly's fearless nature, seeming to ignore all of the patriarchal bonds shackled on her as she walks confidently into a room (and a career) full of men was exciting and inspiring. I was on board, I was hyped! and when the time came for Bly to go into the madhouse, I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, anxious for how this aspect of her journey would be portrayed.

The madhouse is dirty, and uncomfortable to watch. The abusive crew of negligent nurses in the asylum, spearheaded by a delightfully dark and unstable Ms. Grupe (Played by Alexandra Callas) deliver equal part disdainful indifference and malice to the patients of Blackwell's. There are cringe worthy scenes of violence, and an array of colorful patients, but what had me leaving the theater so satisfied was the theme of hope.

It is an interesting phenomenon, because even through all of the unspeakable cruelty and horrible conditions, you can't help but believe in the plucky Nellie Bly- due in no small part to newcomer Barry's ability to carry the story of our heroes infallible good nature so deftly. There is growth with many characters- good and bad, portraying a refreshing array of grays shaded in between the black and white of good and evil, caretaking and cruelty.

The film is intense, difficult to watch at times, and yes there is thrashing and crying. But what's important is what they're using the violence to show- not just to victimize these women, but to uplift and show the unyielding resilience of not only women, but people.

Going on this journey with Nellie, watching her fight and persevere, her famous unfailing optimism grows, changes, evolves- but it never quite leaves her, or us. 10 Days In A Madhouse will stick with you. The struggles, the injustices, the hope. but mostly I think it'll be that great wide smile of Nellie Bly's.… Expand

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RedRose1

Jan 24, 2016

Grim, heartbreaking and powerful. “10 Days In A Madhouse” shows shocking reality from recent history through the eyes of a young, innocent and brave female reporter, Nellie Bly, who risked her life to make our world a better place. Timothy Hines and the cast of the film have obviously foundGrim, heartbreaking and powerful. “10 Days In A Madhouse” shows shocking reality from recent history through the eyes of a young, innocent and brave female reporter, Nellie Bly, who risked her life to make our world a better place. Timothy Hines and the cast of the film have obviously found the most potent way to tell this true story to the contemporary audience. And they respected Nellie Bly’s writings and stuck to the true story without having to “Hollywoodize” the story (like Argo). I want to see this again!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

JacksJJ

Jan 24, 2016

I Highly recommend the film. It is a true story about a 23 year old female investigative reporter who enrolled herself into the state asylum for mentally sick women in the 19th century. It is a very, very sad story, and some scenes are absolutely heartbreaking, but at the same time it isI Highly recommend the film. It is a true story about a 23 year old female investigative reporter who enrolled herself into the state asylum for mentally sick women in the 19th century. It is a very, very sad story, and some scenes are absolutely heartbreaking, but at the same time it is very, very inspiring.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

lisanich

Jan 24, 2016

“10 Days In A Madhouse” is a very in-depth look at the social problems that are absolutely universal for each era throughout the world. Bravo! Nellie Bly is played by a very good actress who carried the film like Matt Damon does “The Martian”. Bravo! And bravo to the actress playing Nurse“10 Days In A Madhouse” is a very in-depth look at the social problems that are absolutely universal for each era throughout the world. Bravo! Nellie Bly is played by a very good actress who carried the film like Matt Damon does “The Martian”. Bravo! And bravo to the actress playing Nurse Grupe in the asylum – Wow! She was amazingly subtle and deep!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

HeidiK

Jan 25, 2016

“10 Days In A Madhouse” is the underdog hit film of the new year. Do all you can to go see this movie in the theaters. In my opinion, there is a great chance this film will turn into film classic. Nellie Bly pioneered investigative journalism by risking her very life to report the truth.“10 Days In A Madhouse” is the underdog hit film of the new year. Do all you can to go see this movie in the theaters. In my opinion, there is a great chance this film will turn into film classic. Nellie Bly pioneered investigative journalism by risking her very life to report the truth. This is that story. Brilliantly told in a way that sucks you through a black hole into post-Civil War New York City where you live and breathe just how hard it was to be a woman in 1880 and how far we’ve come. Caroline Barry shines as badass Nellie Brown and all the supporting cast are well-portrayed piercingly hard and rugged survivors of the era. What bravery. What courage. Awesome film.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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