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Girl, Interrupted Customer Reviews (49 - 51 of 57 Reviews)

Don't Miss It
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!

Pardon The Interruption
Based on the memior of Susanna Kaysen Girl, Interuppted is a decent drama that, thanks to solid performances is more than just a One Flew Over The Cockoo's Nest rehash.

Actress Winona Ryder stars as Susana, a troubled teenager whose confused attempt at suicide lands her in a mental hospital. Once there, she meets an odd assortment of patients, and hospital saff. One patient named Lisa, (Angelina Jolie), in particular, surprises Susana with her uninhibited demeanor. The pair form a tight bond, but that connection is threatened when Lisa begins to spiral even further out of control. Even as Dr. Melvin Potts (Jeffery Tambor), Dr. Sonia Wick, (Vanessa Redgrave), and Valerie Owens, RN (Whoppi Goldberg) offer both obstacle and assistance to Susana.

Directed by James Mangold, the film is a sobering look at what this period in Susana life was like at the time. While the movie is obviously geared more to a female audience, Jolie and Ryder are so effective here, that my concerns of "chick flick-itis" were really unwarranted. Given the nature of the plot, it's impossible not to compare the film to other movies of this type, but it's really able to stand on its own.

The DVD boasts a solid audio commentary from Mangold. He discusses the filmming process, his approach to the material, and on set tidbits. Mangold also offer comments about a series of deleted scenes that were wisely cut, but stiil ineresting to see nonetheless. You can also hear the film's score on an isolated track if you like. There's also an HBO First Look Special that's the most fluffy extra on the disc and has and everything on it you might expect from something like this. Production notes and the theatrical trailer round out the bonus material.

Not just for the ladies, Girl Interruppted, works because of Jolie, who, along with her turn in the HBO telefilm Gia, proved she can do it all as an actress.

So, what's your diag-nonsense?
The movie is based on the real life story of Susanna Kaysen (Winona Ryder), who was admitted to Claymoore, a mental institution, in the late 60's after drowning a bottle of aspirin with a bottle of vodka. She insists this wasn't a suicide attempt, but her parents and psychiatrist don't agree. While at Claymoore, Susanna meets the ohter inmates, Georgina (Clea Duvall), her roommate, who's a pathological liar, Polly (Elisabeth Moss), who everyone calls Torch and has been badly scarred by fire, Daisy (Britanny Murphy), who won't eat in front of anyone, Janet (Angela Bettis), who won't eat at all, and most importantly, Lisa (Angelina Jolie). Lisa is a sociopath. She constantly escapes Claymoore, only to return after having a crisis (or running out of money). She "runs" the place and is a major pain in the ass for Nurse Valerie (Whoopi Goldberg).

Soon after, Susanna starts to wonder if she's indeed crazy or if she's turning crazy by being there. The doctors at Claymoore, Melvin (Jeffrey Tambor) and Dr. Wick (Vanessa Grave) seem to think she's mentally ill, while her boyfriend Toby (Jared Leto) disagrees.

Susanna has to deal with the situation, trying not to spiral into insanity, but at the same time finding a substitute for a home amongst this group of rejects.

As for the acting, it is solid all across the board. Ryder does a convincing job as the lead character and all of the other actresses shine in their roles, especially Murphy, but this is Jolie's film. She steals almost every scene she's in, from the distressed crying on one of her downs, to frighteningly mad outbursts, to maniac lunacy. She earned a well deserve Oscar for her supporting role.

The director, James Mangold, has also helmed films like Cop Land (1997, with Sylvester Stallone, Robert DeNiro and Harvey Keitel), Kate & Leopold (2001, with Hugh Jackman and Meg Ryan) and Identity (2003, with John Cusack, Ray Liotta and Amanda Peet).

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