Self Medicated is a 2005 American teen drama film written, directed by and starring Monty Lapica. Based on actual events in Lapica's life, the film is about a troubled teenager whose mother has him kidnapped at age 17 by a private company and forcibly committed to a locked-down psychiatric institute. Lapica was not originally going to star in the film. According to the subsequent documentary, The Making of Self-Medicated (2007), he did so after casting calls failed to produce a suitable candidate.
Plot On the edges of Las Vegas, 17-year-old Andrew's life is spiraling out of control. Unable to cope with the loss of his father, Andrew's descent into drugs and violence is gaining momentum, and the once promising young man is now headed for self-destruction.
Andrew's mother, helpless to control her son and fighting an addiction of her own, refuses to watch idly as her only child destroys himself. As a last resort, she hires a private company to forcibly kidnap and confine him in a locked-down and corrupt psychiatric hospital. As Andrew is subjected to the secret physical and emotional abuses of the program something inside him is re-awakened. He must somehow get free to save what's left of his life, but to do that, he knows he must first face his own demons head-on.
Cast Monty Lapica as Andrew Eriksen Diane Venora as Louise Eriksen Michael Bowen as Dan Jones Greg Germann as Keith McCauley Kristina Anapau as Nicole
Reception On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Self-Medicated has a score of 37% based on 38 reviews. The critics’ consensus reads, "Self-Medicated features some nice performances, but is too sentimental and unfocused to be a truly compelling film."
The Hollywood Reporter said there was "a raw, unmannered intensity in Lapica's performance sets the requisite tone for the entire production. Self- Medicated is just what the doctor ordered.", and Variety said the film was "a searing portrait of an out-of-control youth . . . strong acting from all quarters and an especially blistering performance from Lapica. Packs a startling punch!"
After complimenting the musical score by Anthony Marinelli and cinematography by Denis Maloney, Jeannette Catsoulis writes for The New York Times, "When the institutional 'abuses' promised in the press notes fail to materialize (unless you count enforced standing and essay writing), the story becomes a monotonous loop of escape and recapture."
Release The film was theatrically released on August 31, 2007 in 15 markets, including New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Boston, San Diego, Chicago, San Francisco, Denver, Portland, Seattle, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Austin, and Las Vegas.
Awards The film has toured the festival circuit extensively, collecting 39 awards.
Rome Independent Film Festival – Grand Jury Prize — 2006 Australian International Film Festival – Best Feature Film & Best Actress (Diane Venora) Angel Award — Best Motion Picture — 2007 PRISM Award Winner — 2006 WorldFest International Film Festival – Gold Remi Award — 2006 Phoenix Film Festival – Sundance Channel Audience Award & Best Ensemble (Cast) — 2006 Berkeley Film Festival – Grand Festival Award — 2006 Memphis International Film Festival – Jury Award — 2006 Tahoe/Reno International Film Festival – Best Spotlight Feature (Festival Prize) — 2005 Newport Beach International Film Festival – Best First Feature (Breakthrough Award) — 2006 San Luis Obispo International Film Festival – Best Feature — 2006 Zion International Film Festival – Grand Jury Prize Santa Fe Film Festival – Best of the Southwest — 2005 Tiburon International Film Festival – Best Actor (Monty Lapica) — 2006 DIY Film Festival – Best Feature & Best Director — 2006 George Lindsey UNA Film Festival – Professional Feature (Monty Lapica and Tommy Bell) — 2006 Cosmos International Film Festival – Best Feature Flint International Film Festival – Competition Jury Prize Twin Rivers Film Festival – Feature Film Award Zoie Film Festival – Best Feature Film — 2006 Big Island Film Festival – Best Feature & Up-And-Coming Filmmaker Award — 2006 Santa Clarita Film Festival – Best Feature & Fuji Best Feature Shot on Film — 2006 Lake Arrowhead Film Festival – Best Feature — 2006 Trenton International Film Festival – Best Screenplay — 2006 BridgeFest Film Festival Canada – Best Feature Staten Island Film Festival – Best New Filmmaker Estes Park Film Festival – Best Feature & Audience Award Tony Bennett / Mike Agassi Foundation – Inspiration Award New York VisionFest – Best Feature & Best Actor (Monty Lapica) & Best Editing — 2006 Charlotte Film Festival – Audience Award — 2006
See also Teen escort company World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools
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