Girl, Interrupted

Amazon.com

Based on Susanna Kaysen's acclaimed journal-memoir, Girl, Interrupted bears inevitable resemblance to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and pale comparison to that earlier classic is impossible to avoid. The mental institution settings of both films guarantee a certain degree of déjà vu and at least one Oscar winner (in this case, Angelina Jolie), since playing a loony is any actor's dream gig. Unfortunately, director James Mangold seems to have misplaced the depth and delicacy of his underrated debut, Heavy, despite a great deal of earnest effort by everyone involved. It's easy to see why Winona Ryder chose to star in (and executive-produce) this nearly worthy adaptation of Kaysen's book, since it's a strong vehicle for female casting and potent drama. Mangold certainly got the former; whether he succeeded with the latter is not so clear.

To be sure, Ryder conveys the confusion and chaos that signified Kaysen's life during nearly 18 months of voluntary institutionalization beginning in 1967. But the film seems too eager to embrace the cliché that the "crazies" of the Claymoore women's ward are saner than the war-torn world outside, and lack of narrative focus gives way to semipredictable character study. Susanna (Ryder) is labeled with "borderline personality disorder," a diagnosis as ambiguous as her own emotions, and while Jolie chews the scenery as the resident bad-girl sociopath, Ryder effectively conveys an odyssey from vulnerable fear to self-awareness and, finally, to healing. The ensemble cast is uniformly superb, making this drama well worthwhile, even as it treads familiar territory. If it ultimately lacks dramatic impact, Girl, Interrupted makes it painfully clear that the boundaries of dysfunction are hazy in a world where everyone's crazy once in a while. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Susanna Kaysen's darkest days.......2007-09-05

Girl, Interrupted is an exceptionally superb film. The cast is superb and the story is done exceptionally well. Winona Ryder may be the star but Angelina Jolie steals the show. She's uncredible effective in every scene, making her performance all the more real.

The movie details the time writer Susanna Kaysen spent in a mental hospital. It features her day to day ordeal and the many different people she encountered. It's a delight of a film.

A shocking and well acted film. Not as good as the superior One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Two-Disc Special Edition) but a definite delight.

The DVD features a commentary, a couple deleted scenes, a small featurette, and some trailers for Ryder and Jolie pictures.

Highly recommended.

NEVER LOSES ITS APPEAL.......2007-07-23

This is one of those rare movies that never loses its appeal. The actors do their jobs so well they are each memorable in their individual roles. Angelina Jolie gives a powerful performance as Lisa and Winona Ryder is fine as Susannah. I always laugh, tho', at the beginning of the movie when the character of Susannah narrates: "...have you ever stolen something when you had the money to pay for it..." or something to that effect. Considering this movie was made well in advance of Winona Ryder's shoplifting escapade the statement is more than ironic.

The depiction of the psyche ward appears physically correct. I guess back in the '60's things were more lenient tho' with the smoking in the ward and lack of apparent structure in patient routine.

Jared Leto has an impressive albeit brief part and Britney Murphey is very convincing as the vulnerable and hopeless "laxative junkie." Whoopi Goldberg turns in a fine performance as Nurse Valerie.

All in all the cast is what makes this picture so good. If you haven't seen, it is a must see.

Angie gives us an almost FLAWLESS performance........2007-06-18

This movie is what REALLY introduced me to the intoxicating world of Angelina Jolie. Her acting is enthralling, and at times, I cannot take my eyes off of her. That's a REAL actress for you. I had seen her previously in the Tomb Raider series. But that was nothing compared to this masterpiece. Another work of art in the Jolie realm is 'Foxfire.' Check that out after this one!! I recommend this to anyone with an open minded sense for stories and characters outside the box...

Boring, self-indulgent.......2007-06-15

Probably if one read the book, a lot of things would be explained that are confusing and poorly spelled-out in this film. As it stands by itself, though, the movie is dull and seems to go nowhere worth getting to. The two hours passed at a tortoise pace and you found yourself wishing the characters would just o.d. and end their torment and yours.

The characters are universally unlikeable. Both Ryder and Jolie seem spoiled and self-indulgent (their characters and the actresses). I'm really surprised Jolie won an Oscar for this role when all she does is perform Acting 101 hystrionics. Even when her acting is turning you off, however, you find yourself fascinated and repulsed by her mutant lips.

As I said, I'm sure the book approaches this topic in a much more coherent and sympathetic way. Having wasted two precious hours watching this movie, I'm not at all tempted to find out if this is true or not. But for the sake of the author, and for anyone suffering from borderline personality, I hope it is so. Both deserve better than this snore-fest.

WOW DANG ONE OF THE BEST MOVE.......2007-05-08

NOW I COULD EASYLY SAY THIS WILL GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE GRATEST MOVE EVER MADE IN THE WORLD THAT IS SO FOR SHORE

Charlie Rose with Winona Ryder; Angelina Jolie (January 14, 2000)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Winona Ryder; Angelina Jolie (January 14, 2000)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Girl, Interrupted

ASIN: B000KC8K4G
Release Date: 2006-11-06

Description

Actress Winona Ryder is on to talk about her role in the new film, Girl, Interrupted, which is adapted from Susanna Kaysen's 1993 best-selling memoir. Ryder talks about the effort she put into getting the film made and why she feels that Kaysen's story was a necessary one to tell. Also, Angelina Jolie stars alongside Ryder in Girl, Interrupted. She talks about her recent work in the film The Bone Collector, other roles she has loved and her strong connection to her character Lisa from Girl, Interrupted.

Average customer rating:

Susanna Kaysen's darkest days
NEVER LOSES ITS APPEAL
Angie gives us an almost FLAWLESS performance.
Boring, self-indulgent
WOW DANG ONE OF THE BEST MOVE

Girl, Interrupted [Region 2]
Starring: Winona Ryder , Angelina Jolie , Clea DuVall , Brittany Murphy , and Elisabeth Moss
Director: James Mangold
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00004U8OE

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Susanna Kaysen's darkest days.......2007-09-05

NEVER LOSES ITS APPEAL.......2007-07-23

Angie gives us an almost FLAWLESS performance........2007-06-18

Boring, self-indulgent.......2007-06-15

WOW DANG ONE OF THE BEST MOVE.......2007-05-08

NOW I COULD EASYLY SAY THIS WILL GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE GRATEST MOVE EVER MADE IN THE WORLD THAT IS SO FOR SHORE

Durchgeknallt-Girl Interrupted [Region 2]

Average customer rating:

Susanna Kaysen's darkest days
NEVER LOSES ITS APPEAL
Angie gives us an almost FLAWLESS performance.
Boring, self-indulgent
WOW DANG ONE OF THE BEST MOVE

Durchgeknallt-Girl Interrupted [Region 2]
Starring: Winona Ryder , Angelina Jolie , Clea DuVall , Brittany Murphy , and Elisabeth Moss
Director: James Mangold
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000056FLQ
Release Date: 2007-02-20

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Susanna Kaysen's darkest days.......2007-09-05

NEVER LOSES ITS APPEAL.......2007-07-23

Angie gives us an almost FLAWLESS performance........2007-06-18

Boring, self-indulgent.......2007-06-15

WOW DANG ONE OF THE BEST MOVE.......2007-05-08

NOW I COULD EASYLY SAY THIS WILL GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE GRATEST MOVE EVER MADE IN THE WORLD THAT IS SO FOR SHORE

DVD:

DVD

DVD