Self Medicated
THINKFilm | Release Date: August 31, 2007 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
51
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews
Positive:
7
Mixed:
7
Negative:
2
Watch Now
Stream On
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
On the basis of this film, Monty Lapica, at 24, has a career ahead of him as a director, an actor or both. He also has a life ahead of him, which the film does a great deal to make clear. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleG. Allen Johnson
Though the script and storytelling could have used more polish, Lapica's honesty provides the lasting impression. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterMichael Rechtshaffen
There's a palpable element of honesty in Lapica's writing and lead performance that gives this indie production, the edge over other troubled teen dramas. Read full review
70
VarietyJustin Chang
Searing portrait of an out-of-control youth who winds up in a decidedly shady rehab center has more than its share of teen-angst cliches but still makes a surprisingly trenchant tearjerker, thanks to strong acting from all quarters and an especially blistering perf from Lapica. Read full review
67
Austin ChronicleMarrit Ingman
A compelling small-scale drama, and Lapica is a talent to watch. Read full review
63
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
There are nice touches, particularly in Venora's performance and Timothy Kendall's editing, but the film's maudlin edge illustrates the dangers of directing your own material: There's no one on hand to tell you when what you think is "just enough" is actually way too much. Read full review
63
Boston GlobeJanice Page
It's worth noting that the movie's spiritual underpinnings are sometimes fairly subtle and other times veer into "Touched by an Angel" territory. The third act is downright Bible-thumping. Read full review
58
Portland OregonianShawn Levy
As it stands, the film is more often self-absorbed than self-aware. Read full review
50
The New York TimesJeannette Catsoulis
Though buoyed by Anthony Marinelli’s moody score and Denis Maloney’s gutsy cinematography, Self-Medicated suffers from severe dramatic droop. Read full review
50
Los Angeles TimesMichael Ordona
Self-Medicated is not loathsome or lurid, just one-sided and in need of guidance -- ironically so, because that's what its protagonist so steadfastly refuses to accept. The movie's lack of nuance is balanced by its good intentions. Read full review
50
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
The scenes of his incarceration and escape from the place are gripping, thanks mainly to Michael Bowen as the hard-ass staffer who wants to break him. But the movie slides toward melodrama with some stale business about the hero spreading his late father's ashes. Read full review
50
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
The vision of him pretending to be a sullen teen is a distraction the movie never overcomes. Read full review
42
The A.V. ClubScott Tobias
It's a personal story that feels like it's been constructed from other movies. Read full review
40
Village VoiceScott Foundas
Self-Medicated reveals itself as a narcissistic fantasy about the misunderstood kid with a heart of gold who finally figures out how to get his shit together: "Good Will Hunting" with a side of Capracorn. Read full review
38
Chicago TribuneMichael Phillips
Lapica isn't yet enough of a writer or director (or an actor) to make the dramatic arc unpredictable in any way. It may be effective for some as therapy. It is far less so as cinematic storytelling. Read full review
25
Seattle Post-IntelligencerBill White
Before the movie reaches its climax, it has created a mess that requires divine intervention. Read full review
More From This Movie

51 Critic Reviews

8.1 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 72 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL