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Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

Excellent but underrated film

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

I just had to order a copy of the out-of-print DVD because of the young Kay Lenz. She had done such a great job in the film Breezy. I was a little apprehensive, wondering if she was up for this very challenging role----especially for a young person.I needn't have worried. She really did an excellent job at showing the ups-and-downs of this mental illness. It has been suggested that the parent's portrayals were, perhaps, too unrealistic. However, I clearly remember those years (the early 1970s) when the very idea of someone needing psychiatric/psychological help was incredibly shame-filled. Some of my favorite moments were when Kay Lenz pleads with her parents, practically begging them to get her psychiatric help. Really really moving.Jamie Smith-Jackson and Debralee Scott: I just these love two actresses, and they did a really wonderful job as 2 of Lisa's best friends.Okay, I admit: I could do without the Rod McKuen songs. But that's really the only weak spot in this film.I am SO glad that I have a copy of this film. I'm going to enjoy watching it again and again. THANK YOU, KAY LENZ!

As a person with Bi-Polar ( it never goes away, just regulates and deregulates), I have experienced every symptom portrayed in this movie. And like this movie I also had a denying and uneducated mother toward mental health issues, who was overly concerned with her reputation in the community...well that spelled frustration to the max for myself at the age of 15 in 1980. This would have been the perfect movie for us to watch together! Sometimes critics are unaware that a film with a strong central theme can carry itself just fine despite what would otherwise be shortcomings. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed every quirk:) Kay Lenz has always been a favorite of mine as well. The perfect made for TV production IMHO. Hallmark presentations were always tops.

I read the book "Lisa Bright and Dark" and this movie holds up next to the book really well. The performances were strong and it dealt with a subject that most decent people didn't talk about at that time-mental illness. I was a teen when I first watched it and read the book and while thankfully me and my friends didn't have the problems that Lisa did, I could still relate to the teen girls love and concern as they watched Lisa slip further and further into mental illness. I wish they would release the old made for TV movies that came out in the early 70's on DVD. I haven't seen this one in 30 years and would love to watch it again.

This is one of those Hallmark Hall of Fame specials that helped to cement their reputation for being well-made, well-acted quality production. Kay Lenz is outstanding as Lisa, and the supporting cast is also excellent. This is one that still holds up today, even though it was made many years ago. When this was made, mental illness wasn't a popular subject for serious treatment by television, but this sensitive,thoughtful movie helped to be a pioneer for all of the television movies dealing with mental illness (like Sybil, The Cracker Factory, and many others)that would come afterwards. The Seventies was a coming of age time for television drama. Lisa, Bright and Dark was a definite pioneer.