Girl, Interrupted

Rating:
Summary: Girl Intellectualized
Review: Despite a "feel good" ending that somehow undermines the drama and pathos of mental illness, "Girl Interrupted" is a winning combination of fine acting, on-target direction and a compelling true story. Susannah's (Ryder) flashback-riddled transition from social "ambivalence" and dis-connection to a state of personal acceptance is (at first) complicated by the personal dramas that surround her. At once appalled and fascinated by the "secrets" of her peers at Claymore, she soon finds that they are largely misunderstood. Railing against the profession (psychotherapy) that has failed to "cure" her new friends, she finds sustenance in their mutual alienation.

Her relationship with Lisa (Jolie), the plain-speaking and self-loathing sociopath becomes a challenge to her ambivalance. This intellectual tug of war between safe apathy and difficult empathy isn't solved by escaping Claymore; it takes a tragic visceral experience to put things in perspective.

Ryder is in fine form throughout, a reassuring presence amid the flightier and more self-destructive personalities on display. Jolie is well-cast, and takes to her role as if it were tailor-made. Notables among the supporting cast include Whoopi Goldberg as the tough-loving head nurse, and Vanessa Redgrave as an impassive, sphinx-like psychiatrist in charge.

The deleted scenes that apprear in this DVD version are an essential addition, and certainly help to understand some of Susannah's behavior and motivation. They include events that are only discussed in the feature film itself, and that omission is a significant loss in my opinion.

I can't say that "Girl Interrupted" is a classic in it's genre, but it is a riveting film that could well have viewers considering the "value" of sanity, be it relative or inferred.

Rating:
Summary: Jolie, Interrupted
Review: I read the book "Girl, Interrupted" a few years ago and enjoyed it. I was interested to see the film, but I didn't know how the book could really be translated into a movie. Mangold and Ryder took a stab at it. I feel it was mutilated. (I don't blame it completly on them.) The acting was seriously lacking, other than that of Brittney Murphy. Yes, I DO NOT feel Angelina Jolie did a good job of acting. She was nothing like Lisa, however none of the characters were the same. There were many details of the story that were left out. All in all I was disappointed. It's also sad that the only attention the film recieved was Angelina Jolie's performance, which was not Oscar (or even Golden Globe!) worthy. (Brittney Murphy gets one star, every other aspect of the film- 0!)

Rating:
Summary: Spectacular!
Review: A great story that will leave you speechless. Best acting I have ever saw in a movie.

Rating:
Summary: Bring Out the Kleenex!
Review: I am usually rather suspicious of "Oscar Material" movies (I won't comment on "Being John Malkovich"), however, I was pleasantly surprised with "Girl, Interrupted."

I have always been amused by professional critics' opinions of films because, for some reason, they often don't mesh with the general public. I feel the director did an excellent job controlling the aura of the film. While I have never seen any of his other work, if he is able to accomplish other masterpieces which are as grand as this film is, he has a lifetime career.

Even though I have never seen "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," I don't believe it is fair to compare "Girl" to it. This was a film based on a women's experience in a mental institution. The conditions which prompted the various characters to have to be placed in the institution pale in comparison to "normal" life in modern times. This only allows us to see how times have changed.

The acting was superb and giving out only one Oscar to it's cause was a travesty. Ryder should have been right up there on stage with Jolie (whose character, in my opinion, was much more involved than 'supporting' Ryder's character). I like the fact that a couple of BBW's were included. They are often hard to find in films. Nonetheless, they were present here (even if they were in a "loony bin"). The "smaller" characters were pleasantly portrayed by "bigger" names in Hollywood which shows nobody should ever consider themselves too grand to take a small part in a movie.

Concerning the DVD special features, I would like to have seen a little more information about the actors. Nonetheless, the director's commentary was superbly done and allowed me to hear about the goings on of the film and to slightly learn more about the supporting cast. While I enjoyed observing the deleted scenes, it made me wish some of them had been kept in the original movie. Some were vital to understanding the background of a few of the situations within the plot. Nonetheless, this is one of those DVD's which was originally rented but will find itself on my shelf at home because I felt touched enough to purchase it.

Rating:
Summary: Girls On the Edge
Review: Girl Interrupted is a drama that pulls you in and never lets you go, long after the credits have rolled you still feel its numbing effects. The director's smooth pacing and beautifully crafted scenes that sort of put you in the head of Winona's character, fading in out of time and space is truly part of the fire of this movie. It had lots of heart and the entire cast delivered with magnificent grace. Angelina Jolie, definitely the wild child, and hallmark performance of this film stole her every scene with her riveting ruthlessness. Ryder also held her own--this may be her best acting performance to date. And all the scenes with she and Whoopi Goldberg gave the film its soul. There are few films that explore the question of insanity with such depth and demension. Usually its just a bunch of cartoon like crazy people running around but in this film each character was real. Not just dramatic, it had its sharp and darkly funny moments. It's definitely raises many questions about what is crazy and what is mental health and what is inner freedom. And as the film nears its end, you start to realize that this film experience is an interruption in thought: Think crazy. Be free.

Rating:
Summary: AWESOME
Review: Great movie. Winona is just amazing. I love the deleted scenes that the DVD has to offer. I think the scene where she sees the painting definitley should of stayed in.

Rating:
Summary: Deleted Scenes give a reason & lend merit to movie's Title
Review: I just bought this movie on DVD & I was really glad. I watched the movie, then I watched the deleted scenes. The director, James Mangold, cut out so many good scenes in order to shorten the length of this movie. One of these scenes gives a reason for calling the movie, "Girl, Interrrupted", which I thought should have been left in the film. But obviously, the director thought differently. There are also deleted scenes that show her Suzanne's attempted suicide & how she came to be in the hospital. I felt these scenes would have added much to the movie - so I was really happy to be able to see them.

Winona Ryder & Angelina Jolie both do such wonderful jobs acting in this movie. Winona can be so expressive without even saying one word & I think that her acting in this movie was overlooked by many critics. Maybe that was because Angelina Jolie's performance was so explosive & in-your-face. Not to say that it wasn't a great job...it was. Both of these young women worked together & produced a beautiful movie about Suzanne Kasdan & the relationships she had during her stay at Claymoore.

This DVD is great & I am so glad I bought it. Make sure to check out the deleted scenes.

Rating:
Summary: Girl Interupted
Review: This movie was one of the greatest movies I have ever seen. I went to see it about 2 weeks after I was just released from a mental hospital for attempted suicide. The movie was dipicted very well. It was far by the best movie I've seen.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding acting, but story comes up a little short
Review: 'Girl Interrupted' suffers from comparisons with 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest', perhaps a bit unfairly since they were different kinds of stories. Possibly the reason for this is that the story presented like Cuckoo Lite. This story begged for some character development, especially of Lisa. It is essentially a slice of life film. There was no real plot, just a succession of incidents at the institution.

For a slice of life film to be successful, there must be character development or situations that are so unique and fascinating that they compensate for the story's lacking a plotline. In 'Cuckoo's Nest' despite having little character development, the situations were intense and Jack Nicholson commanded our attention in every frame. G.I. fell short in both areas. It was unquestionably an interesting character study of both Suzanna (Winona Ryder) and Lisa (Angelina Jolie), but the flashbacks of Suzanna's life were too sketchy to provide much insight into the problems with which she struggled, and Lisa's past was a total mystery. Though Jolie's performance was truly outstanding, as was Ryder's, together they failed to create a performance strong enough to compensate for what the story lacked.

Director James Mangold gets credit for a story sensitively told and his direction of the actors was excellent. This was generally a very well acted film. Angelina Jolie continues to impress in difficult and gutsy roles. She is a very gritty performer and is fantastic at pouring out raw emotion with no holds barred. Hopefully this performance will help her emerge from the shadows of supporting actor to land the lead she deserves.

Wynona Ryder delivered another mature and powerful performance. She is quite accomplished at playing complex and tormented characters. One day, I would love to see her in something that departs from her accustomed dour roles. While watching the featurette included on the DVD, I noticed she actually does possess a genuinely happy smile. It occurred to me at that moment that this was the first time I'd seen it. The only smile she ever gets a chance to use in character is her wounded smile.

I rated this film a 7/10. Overall, this film gives us two great performances, but comes up a little short in the presentation of the story. It is not an overwhelming film, but it's definitely worth seeing.

Rating:
Summary: Don't Miss It
Review: Having just watched "Girl, Interrupted," I must say that I was pleasantly surprised and satisfied with this film. I missed it in the theater, but I am kind of glad I did; I think that by seeing this film at home in the comfort of my living room only enhanced the film. Of course, as you can see from reading the other reviews, a very strong aspect of this movie is the acting. I feel that every single actor-be it minor or major-did an absolutely stunning job in emphasizing the point of this film.

I have always admired Winona Ryder, who, paradoxically, brings subtlety and boldness into her performances. To paraphrase the director, James Mangold, she is a great silent actress. Every look, every slight expression, every line of dialogue colors her character. And there is the peerless Angelina Jolie. I don't think anyone else could have played Lisa. She has this great electricity and energy about her. Her performance is a great inspiration. Her Academy Award was definitely well-deserved. I hope she continues to choose projects that challenge her and bring out her best performance. I was happy to see Vanessa Redgrave in the film - what a great actress, as is Brittany Murphy, who plays Daisy.

The story is wonderful, the dialogue often humorous and touching, the performances riveting! James Mangold certainly proves that he is a sensitive and adept director. I hope he does more projects like this!