I have not had much first-hand experience with mental illness. My friends and family may sometimes do inexplicable things like slurp their coffee or vote Republican, but no one I know is schizophrenic or delusional.

I always figured having a crazy relative was kind of like having a blind or crippled relative. You'd get used to it.

As Tarnation unfolded, I realized a big part of Jonathan's life was suffering inflicted and suffering endured. These people were not simply ill, they were damaged.

Even with this realization, I thought, "Well, you takes your knocks and get on with your life." Then came the pumpkin scene, which made my hair stand on end. I thought, this has got to be a put-on of some kind. Nope, it's clearly real. If this were my mom, could I stand it? Could I live in a house with this woman? If so, what would it do to me?

Anyway, Tarnation is a portrait of madness, and it amazed me ... although I docked it a few points for the unnecessary psychedelia.