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Girl, Interrupted Customer Reviews (55 - 57 of 57 Reviews)

sans Mangold's ego, this could have been a classic
Mangold did a great job at casting this true story. What he should have never been allowed to touch was the original script.

He whittled many of the important supporting characters down to anecdotes, and focused much too strongly on the lack of story between Susanna(Winona Ryder) and her nurse, Valerie(Whoopi Goldberg), and therapists(Jeffrey Tambor and a wasted Vanessa Redgrave).

The film should have been very much an ensemble piece. When not in one two-character relationship, the Lisa(Angelina Jolie)-Susanna duo being the strongest, he spits out one-liners and stereotypes for his incredible players to show.

Jillian Armenante(Cynthia), Clea DuVall(Georgina), Angela Bettis(Janet), Brittany Murphy(Daisy), and Elisabeth Moss(Polly) are all better actresses than the script shows. Most are left as set dressing, standing in hallways as Susanna and Lisa cavort.

The most interesting scenes occur outside the hospital, which is an oversight. The "normal" world in an ice cream shop shows the juxtaposition of insanity Susanna is choosing, with the world she is supposed to be within. Daisy's apartment is also a drama-packed den of emotion and catharsis as Susanna and Lisa spend the night.

Mangold should have kept his mangling mitts off this one.

potential: 10/10*
final product: 6/10

DVD notes: as per all recent Mangold releases, there is ample commentary by the director, giving insights into the film locations, casting, and motivation. There is a wonderfully rich set of deleted scenes (some of which should have been in the final cut), and the HBO special that was little more than an overlong trailer for the film. Still, a fine set of extras that flesh out the product. Well done.

I'd Call It A "Coming of Age" Story...
... It's just that this one deals with messed-up girls in a mental clinic. Winona's character goes through a mental transformation during her stay in the clinic that effectively takes her out of adolescence and into adulthood. I think the film's about that as much as it is about insanity and its treatment. Gives the story a fairly powerful ending, I thought.

Another good reason to see the film is Angelina Jolie, who manages to be engagingly charismatic and also scary-weird. The best part I've seen her in. She really injects a lot of energy into the movie. (Winona is also very good).

Excellent movie
I love this movie. I especially thought angelina Jolie did a great job. quite a sad ending, though.

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