I, Psychopath

I, Psychopath, released in 2009, is an intriguing documentary that aims to delve deep into the complex arena of psychology, particularly focusing on the subject of psychopathy. The film orbits around Sam Vaknin, a self-credited and self-proclaimed narcissist, who also happens to be a celebrated author, mainly known for his work about narcissism, "Malignant Self Love: Narcissism Revisited."

The documentary is driven by the ambitions of flamboyant filmmaker Ian Walker, who seeks an exploration into the mystifying realm of psychopathy and chooses Sam Vaknin as his case subject for his unique self-professed status of narcissism and alleged psychopathy. Walker's intent is to not only understand Vaknin's assertions around his own psychopathy but also to investigate the implications of the situation for other similar individuals.

Lidija Rangelovska, Vaknin's long-suffering wife but still dedicated, also appears in the documentary, often creating a broader lens through which Vaknin's personality can be dissected. I, Psychopath offers a fresh and quite informed perspective on this personality disorder through these two main characters who are at opposite ends of the spectrum. On one hand, you have Vaknin, who doesn't deny but encourages his identification as a narcissist and, to some extent, psychopath. On the other, you have Rangelovska, providing an intimate account of the highs and lows of sharing a life with such a personality.

I, Psychopath gains further credibility and depth with the appearance of Robert Hare, the psychologist famous for his work with psychopathy and founder of the 'Psychopathy Checklist', a diagnostic tool used to identify psychopathy. The viewers are given a chance to observe Hare in action, as he interviews and evaluates Vaknin making use of his checklist. The assessments by Hare add a layer of official recognition to the accumulated informal observations assigned to Vaknin throughout the film.

As the film progresses, the interactions between Vaknin and Walker become more intense. Walker initially tries to function as a passive observer, yet the unique brashness and unapologetic nature of Vaknin consistently push Walker out of his comfort zone. Vaknin's provocative behavior challenges Walker's impartiality and instigates Walker himself to question his objectivity.

Viewers are taken on a journey through an array of psychological evaluations, personal confrontation bouts, computerized brain scans, and numerous emotively intense exchanges between Walker and Vaknin. The whole experience is made even more poignant by the continuous insight Rangelovska provides into her perspective.

I, Psychopath is not just a psychological exploration but also a venture into the dynamics of such complex personalities. It brings forth the picture of a society where such individuals exist and thrive using their manipulative abilities and high intelligence.

The core difference of I, Psychopath from other documentaries about such convoluted psychological conditions and persons suffering from them lies in the sheer honesty and brutal confrontations that it doesn't hold back from showcasing. It provides an unfiltered perspective into the lives of narcissists and psychopaths, which is rarely discussed in everyday societal discourse.

The movie does not shy away from showcasing the manipulative traits that Vaknin displays nor from highlighting his insecurities about being held under the constant scrutiny of a camera. The screen time is filled with dramatic tension, intellectual debates, complicated human emotions, and a raw portrayal of the courses a psychopath's mind might take.

All in all, I, Psychopath is a grippingly informative and, at the same time, dramatic exploration of a complex psychological condition from real-life perspectives. It promises to take the viewers on a roller-coaster journey through the mind games of a self-made psychopath, providing insights into subjects that are often left untouched in regular media. This film is an excellent watch for anyone interested in understanding the mysterious depths of the human psyche, particularly the dark niches of psychopathy and its adverse impacts on relationships and society at large.