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From Amazon.co.uk
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 institutionalisation 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
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
Product Description
New England, the 1960s. 17-year-old Susanna (Winona Ryder) is diagnosed as suffering a borderline personality disorder and sent to Claymore psychiatric hospital. Once there, she rejects the treatment of psychiatrist Dr Wick (Vanessa Redgrave) and nurse Valerie (Whoopi Goldberg), turning instead to her fellow inmates - the disruptive Lisa (Angelina Jolie), compulsive liar Georgina (Clea DuVall), and spoilt rich girl Daisy (Brittany Murphy), who suffers from an eating disorder.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By RD
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
A wonderful film with brilliant acting from the whole cast.
Winona Ryder plays the main character who narrates a tale of being admitted into a mental institute after trying to kill herself. Jaded with life and without a long term plan for the future that involves marrying and reproducing Susanna Kaysen is considered unstable. Diagnosis - borderline personality disorder.
In the institute she meets people the general public would consider the 'real crazies'.... As the story unfolds however we learn to see each of them as individuals and the stories behind why they are who they are...
Angelina Jolie's performance as a sociopath is unbelievable. The first thing that crossed my mind when I saw this was 'she absolutely and totally deserved that oscar.' If you've written her off as an actress give her one more shot with this movie and I guarantee you will change your mind.
Based on the book by Susanna Kaysen this is a true life story about self discovery and a must see movie... You may well laugh or cry. Maybe even both.
Winona Ryder plays the main character who narrates a tale of being admitted into a mental institute after trying to kill herself. Jaded with life and without a long term plan for the future that involves marrying and reproducing Susanna Kaysen is considered unstable. Diagnosis - borderline personality disorder.
In the institute she meets people the general public would consider the 'real crazies'.... As the story unfolds however we learn to see each of them as individuals and the stories behind why they are who they are...
Angelina Jolie's performance as a sociopath is unbelievable. The first thing that crossed my mind when I saw this was 'she absolutely and totally deserved that oscar.' If you've written her off as an actress give her one more shot with this movie and I guarantee you will change your mind.
Based on the book by Susanna Kaysen this is a true life story about self discovery and a must see movie... You may well laugh or cry. Maybe even both.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
'Crazy isn't being broken, or swallowing a dark secret. It's you, or me, amplified...'
Girl, Interrupted is an incredible film, insightful and memorable. Winona Ryder identifies in one of the DVD interviews that the book appears impossible to adapt, but all involved with the film have done a terrific job here. The film manages to stick very closely to the book and yet still tell a coherent story; anyone who's read Kaysen's biography will know that this is no small achievement! The characters' relationships with themselves and each other are at turns heartwarming and heartbreaking. Angelina Jolie does a particularly excellent job playing the magnetic Lisa, but all the cast give great performances.
The DVD extras are very good, and it's particularly interesting to see the deleted scenes offer a little bit more insight into some of the characters. The film's music is also worth a mention, with some really great song choices.
This film is resonating and beautiful, and in short, I can't recommend it highly enough. Go watch it already.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
I suffer from BPD like Susannah Kaysen, and it is such a relief to have a film to really relate to. I'm grateful to her for writing the book, and a film being made out of it, as it is a very accurate portrayal of having a personality disorder. I watched it at the worst of my depression, and though while I watched it, it made me feel even more depressed and bleak, afterwards, it made me think hard about my life. I showed the film to my parents and some friends, and it gave them more of an insight into what I have been through.Obviously other people wouldn't be watching it for the same reasons as me, but they cannot fail to be affected by the emotions portayed in this film. Jolie is as ever brilliant, as too are Winona Ryder and Brittany Murphy. As I said, it made me feel very down while watching it, but that just shows how powerful the film is, it will make you think, and hopefully change your perception of the mentally ill.
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4.2 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not especially enthralling
Very long and very weak story line led me to give this a mere 3 stars and that is being generous.
Really quite tedious. Read more
Really quite tedious. Read more
Published 28 days ago by BobM
5.0 out of 5 stars
we loved watching this movie.
yes this is a film to watch me and my teenaged daughter really did enjoy this and you should check it out!!.
Published 29 days ago by dawn
5.0 out of 5 stars
LOVED IT!!
Great film was very interesting. After watching it i really wanted to read the book, a great real life story.
Published 1 month ago by Dot2dotNerd
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved!
Great film. As someone who suffers with BPD (as Susanna does) it was very easy for me to put myself in her shoes. Read more
Published 1 month ago by happy girl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good film
This is a good film because it is completely different from your normal chic flick. I would recommend buying this, especially for the reasonable price!
Published 2 months ago by Rachel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great film.
With a great cast, Jolie and Ryder are excellent. Britney Murphy also gives a great performance as does Vanessa Redgrave. Read more
Published 3 months ago by C. MCCARTHY
5.0 out of 5 stars
Teen buy
Bought for my 16 year old daughter , who adores this movie. Very good buy and great value . .
Published 4 months ago by jules01
3.0 out of 5 stars
was ok
The movie was a bit out of date and in parts poor quality but overall was a good film! in parts I could not understand what was going off but it was okay and I tried to watch it... Read more
Published 7 months ago by laauren
2.0 out of 5 stars
not great
starts slow and a bit confusing, middle is mildly entertaining but only due to angelina jolie's rebellious prankster performance, ending is a non-event. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Nomessingabout
5.0 out of 5 stars
All in one
Personally, I love films that contain things such as mental illness and the understanding of the world. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Emma
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