Durchgeknallt-Girl Interrupted (2000)

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 Amazon.com

Character - Thumbs up. Plot - Thumbs down.

Incredible acting by Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie. This movie is worth watching to see fine acting on display. Great characters and behavior development, however this film lacks direction and a good, solid believable plot, but the performances are the key in this film piece. December 30, 2008

2.5 stars out of 4

The Bottom Line:

A coming-out party for Angelina Jolie and little more, Girl Interrupted features some bad suplots (e.g. Brittany Murphy's character) and an uninspired conclusion; Jolie may be good, but the movie is not. December 18, 2008

GREAT

This movie is one of those that leaves you thinking about it for days, after the first viewing. All-star performances all around, and has some witty and memorable diologue. This movie is truly a must-see! December 13, 2008

Great to revisit, over and over

While the fantastic performance of Ms. Jolie won an Oscar, deservedly, and jumpstarted her sensational career, the performance of Winona Ryder has somehow, and unjustly, been neglected- She is astonishingly good, sensitive, nuanced, and very brilliant in the lead role. The irony that amongst her words spoken in the film: ("Have you ever stolen something that you could completely afford to pay for?) appear, in real life, to have slowed down her career, seems unreasonably unfair. She is a great artist and one day hopefully will have an Oscar of her own. I feel she should have been nominated for this film, as should have Whoopi Goldberg, in quite a small but emotionally rich role. In addition, Vanessa Redgrave, though seen on film here for what has to be not quite 5 minutes, leaves an incredible impact, that, too could have been Oscar nominated, as supporting actress. Ms. Jolie deserved her Oscar, though i do feel she and Ms. Ryder should have shared Best (Lead) Actress nominations with Jolie winning, and Ms. Goldberg and Redgrave in the supporting catagory- The ensemble cast is terrific, too many to name, and as a 'period piece' the film really does give the viewer the feeling they are watching a slice of life from 1968 and 1969, the 'timespace' of the movie.
It belongs in homes of people who love to study great acting, because the film is loaded with it. Time to forgive Ms. Ryder's shopping habits- no-one's perfect- and realize it was she who was instrumental in getting the film made in the first place and also time to admire Ryder for having the artistic integrity to give the 'showier' role to Ms. Jolie, who should repay the favor anytime soon now and give the talented Ms. Ryder a role in one of Jolie's films. Be nice to see them work together again, too :) November 22, 2008

beautiful team!

Angelina Jolie and Winona Ryder make a beautiful team in this psycho movie! They act amazingly in this and so convincing! You feel the pain and the torture they are going through to understand their lives! Enjoy this movie with an open heart! October 9, 2008

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