Canvas

Just when you think you'll die of boredom or your last brain cell will commit harikari for lack of stimulation from the likes of Hollywood, some brilliant little film will come out of the nether regions (read 'independent') and renew your faith in human creativity. This is such a film. Written and directed by newbie Joseph Greco, and based loosely on his own childhood experiences with a schizophrenic parent, Canvas is a delight. And more - the doc on Psychflix gives it a big thumbs up for accuracy.
Sweet!

Ten year old Chris Marino ( Devon Gearhart) is living in chaos. His mother Mary (Marcia Gay Harden) has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and her bizarre behavior embarrasses and confuses him. His father (Joe Pantoliano) is struggling to make ends meet and hold the family together. When a particularly bad turn for Mary lands her in an institution, the elder Chris takes time off work to start obsessively building a sailboat in the driveway, and little Chris thinks both his parents have gone off the deep end and deals with the loss of both parents and the cruel taunts of his peers. This is very real stuff, folks. About life, love and relationship.

Rarely do films about mental illness show the perspective of the family. Although Harden is wonderful in her portrayal of paranoia and pain, the real crux of this film is watching two men, (well, one and a half) deal with real emotion, helplessness and grief. Gearhart is sweet and authentic and Pantoliano is amazing as a man frustrated to the point of exhaustion. There really isn't an ending... but there is hope. Check out the website here.