Crazy Love

Despite their relationship making tabloid headlines in the sixties, today very few people will have heard of Burt and Linda Pugach. And, despite Crazy Love being a documentary entirely about their relationship, initially, very little attempt is made to explain their significance to the audience. At first, Crazy Love feels boring and pointless – it presents a stream of unknown interview subjects discussing the seemingly insignificant and rather innocuous ‘early days of Burt and Linda.’ At this point, the most intriguing aspect of the film is the trashy appearance of these interviewees (complete with diamante-studded sunglasses and a fake tan that induced audible giggles from the audience). The film’s ability to lull its audience into a false sense of security, however, is actually what makes the ensuing developments so utterly surprising. In true tabloid fashion, this mundane exposition contrasts ideally with the shocking twists that are to follow.
To discuss these zany developments would be to undermine the film’s entire central premise and yet, at the same time, there does seem to be so much more to this film than the headline-worthy scandals it exposes. Director Dan Klores actually seems to push beyond the sensationalist gleam of the story to expose some humanity beneath it. His interviews weave through themes of love, loneliness, desperation and infatuation with a level of insightfulness that disables you from dismissively slotting Crazy Love between Woman’s Weekly and Life Magazine. The interviews with Burt and Linda (now in their 60s and 70s respectively) are particularly well-handled, with both individuals revealing a practical attitude to love that many will be able to relate to, but few will admit to. While there’s little to this film to suggest that it should be viewed on silver screen rather than on television, it is a surprisingly intriguing offering, which holds a particular relevance in a time when people are so interested in sensationalist tales that tabloid headlines often make it to our evening news (albeit not on all stations).
Rating: 6.9