Crazy as Hell

In his directorial debut, Eriq La Salle follows in Jeff Goldblum's frosty footsteps playing a mental patient who may in fact be Satan, yet La Salle does so with sufficient flair and charisma that no-one will accuse him of being a pale imitation. Utilizing lots of complicated, well-choreographed steadicam shots, La Salle directs with confidence -- this may yet be his true calling. Michael Beach (TV's Third Watch) is Satan's shrink, a hotshot doc who eschews the notion of medication, and believes that mental illness can be cured with mind over matter (that the film rebukes this notion should rile up a few Scientologists). While being videotaped 24-7 by a reality show in a confining institution, the good doctor gradually begins to lose his mind -- or does he? The ending's a little too familiar, and like many actor-directed projects, the film could stand to trim a good 20 minutes or so. Beach has the charisma of a young Billy Dee Williams; the fine supporting cast includes Ronny Cox, John C. McGinley, Tia Texada and Sinbad.