Crazy Love (2007 film)

Crazy Love is a 2007 American documentary film directed by Dan Klores and Fisher Stevens. The film explores the tumultuous and ultimately destructive relationship between Burt Pugach, a successful married lawyer, and Linda Riss, a young woman with whom he had an affair in the late 1950s.

The documentary details Pugach's obsession with Riss, his hiring of men to disfigure her with lye after she ended the relationship, his subsequent imprisonment, and, remarkably, their marriage after his release. It uses interviews with Pugach and Riss themselves, along with archival footage and interviews with friends, family, and legal professionals, to paint a portrait of a complex and disturbing dynamic.

The film delves into themes of obsession, manipulation, forgiveness, and the enduring power of love, albeit in a deeply unconventional and controversial context. It questions the nature of their relationship and offers multiple perspectives on the motivations and actions of both individuals.

"Crazy Love" garnered significant critical acclaim for its unflinching portrayal of the Pugach-Riss story and its exploration of the darker aspects of human relationships. It won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.