- A Fine Madness
Infobox_Film
name = A Fine Madness
caption = original movie poster
director =Irvin Kershner
writer =Elliott Baker
starring =Sean Connery Joanne Woodward Jean Seberg
producer =Jerome Hellman
distributor =Warner Brothers
released =29 June 1966
runtime = 104 minutes
imdb_id = 0060414"A Fine Madness" (1966) is a
motion picture comedy based on the 1964 novel byElliott Baker that tells the story of Samson Shillitoe, a frustrated poet unable to finish a grand tome. It starsSean Connery (in the midst of hisJames Bond roles),Joanne Woodward ,Jean Seberg ,Patrick O'Neal andClive Revill . It was directed byIrvin Kershner .Synopsis
Samson, a poet, lives in Greenwich Village in New York with Rhoda – a waitress who stands by him through all his troubles.
When Samson cannot find the inspiration to finish his grand poem, he becomes belligerent and depressed. On Samson's behalf, but unknown to him, Rhoda seeks the help of psychiatrist Dr. West (
Patrick O'Neal ), who claims to be able to cure writer's block.Rhoda gives Dr. West two hundred dollars (which Samson desperately needs; he is behind in his alimony payments) to treat Samson for what she fears will become suicidal intent if he can't finish his poem. Dr. West reluctantly agrees to see him, and when Samson confronts the Doctor about the return of his money, West is fascinated by Shillitoe and persuades him to become a patient. In order for Samson to be away from the chaos of his life in the city that he might finish his poem, Dr. West arranges a stay for him in a sanitarium upstate.
Another doctor at the sanitarium, Dr. Menken (
Clive Revill ) is also interested in Samson, but for the purpose of experimenting on him with a new surgical technique to quell his violent temper. He persuades Rhoda to agree to the surgery. Dr. West and two other colleagues vehemently oppose such a procedure, as it is too close to a lobotomy to be safe.Dr. West's wife (
Jean Seberg ), is frustrated with married life with the doctor. He is a popular TV guest for his pop psychiatric methods and views, and she sees very little of him. Eventually she runs in to Samson at the sanitorium. Samson does not know who she is, and the two have sex in a therapeutic bath. Dr.West, looking for Samson, secretly sees them in the tub.When it comes time for the clinic senior staff to vote on allowing the surgical technique to be performed on Samson, Dr. West, having seen Samson with his wife, changes his vote, enabling Dr. Menken to go ahead.
When Samson awakes from the surgery, at first his voice is so low and quiet he cannot be understood. As Dr. Menken leans in to listen, Samson throws a punch that lands the doctor on the floor. The operation has had no effect, and Samson's had enough of the place, and returns to New York.
External links
*imdb title|id=0060414|title=A Fine Madness
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