moviereview - Crazy Love

CRAZY LOVE

	In the 1950's, Burt Pugach fell in love with a young woman. Burt's compulsive obsession landed him in jail, and Linda scarred for life.	score 3+	moviereview rates films from 1 (unwatchable) to 5 (unmissable)
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Cast
Burt Pugach, Linda Pugach

Director
Dan Klores

Screenwriter
Documentary

Country
USA

Rating / Running Time
M / 92 minutes

Australian Release
November 2007

Official Site

Never was a documentary so well titled. This examination of obsession was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize at Sundance for among other reasons, its capacity to surprise.

Outside of US tabloid press, the story of Burt and Linda Pugach barely rated more than a few column centimetres. In 1959, they generated headline after headline as their love affair exploded.

Burt was a hot-shot film lawyer with a taste for women. He meets Linda and begins a torrid affair though fails to disclose his marriage. Falsifying divorce proceedings, Burt woos her back. Linda’s mother unearths the truth, Burt hires goons in the belief Linda will turn to him for protection.

The attack makes national headlines. Fourteen years later, on release from prison, Burt tries to win back Linda’s heart.

It’s the kind of story that makes press barons rich, and many rode a long way on the obsessive, crazy love of Burt Pugach. What makes Klores’ documentary so fascinating is the page-turning revelations he piles up.

Mixing talking-head testimony from Burt (80), Linda (70) and their close friends (extras from The Nanny) with photographs, press and television clippings, he creates a forceful montage.

Burt and Linda kick it into touch – her compliance, his near total lack of remorse.

// COLIN FRASER