Crazy Love

NEW YORK (CNS) -- In 1957, ambulance-chasing lawyer Burt Pugach spotted comely 20-year-old Linda Riss in a Bronx park and decided he had to have her at all costs. What transpired in their highly unconventional half-century relationship is related by them and others in the perversely engrossing documentary "Crazy Love" (Magnolia).

Initially unaware Burt was married, Linda was impressed by his private plane and powder-blue Cadillac. He was obsessed with virginal Linda, but when she found out he was married with a child, Linda threatened to leave. Burt soon showed her divorce papers and she started making wedding plans, until she discovered the papers -- like his intention to marry her -- were phony. He was a liar who was disbarred for illegal fee splitting, and a serial adulterer to boot.

Determined to forget Burt, Linda met a soldier in Florida and became engaged in 1959. The incensed Burt hired thugs who went to Linda's apartment and threw lye in her face, permanently disfiguring and blinding her. Burt was sentenced to 30 years and served 14.

During his incarceration, Burt continued sending love letters as Linda got her own apartment and dated, but felt herself to be "damaged goods." (With her blessing, the fiance had broken the engagement.)

As Linda aged, a policewoman who had initially guarded Linda's hospital room felt she would be better off with nutty Burt than alone and needy, so she brought them together upon his release. Eight months later, they married. They have been spouses for 33 years, for better or worse, as Burt continued to womanize. Yet Linda testified on his behalf at a 1997 trial when his mistress charged he threatened and harassed her.

Director Dan Klores' film integrates vintage home movies, stills and period music with its star players, current-day Linda, now 70, sporting bouffant wigs and oversized sunglasses, and 80-year-old, self-satisfied Burt.

It would be wonderful to suggest this is a relationship about enduring love and forgiveness, rather than a college "Abnormal Psychology" class come to life, for essentially, former sadist Burt is now at the mercy of a sharp-mouthed wife who once was his victim.

As a couple, seen at their favorite Queens, N.Y., diner, they seem to have settled into a bickering camaraderie. They also seem to relish the limelight with Burt bragging about all the money he made and women he had while Linda, a product of her times, was focused on her looks to find a husband for her sense of identity and financial security.

Klores wisely keeps a nonjudgmental tone throughout the film, leaving the viewers to ponder whether this could be a sincere love story or a twisted tale of obsession and co-dependency.

The film contains intermittent violent, suicidal and sexual references and an instance of rough language. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.