Thought-provoking

Rating: Null/10 (26 May 2001)

Girl, Interrupted is such a thought-provoking movie! Based on the real-life experience of Susanna Kaysen, who was in a pyschiatric institution in the 1960s, you really do start to wonder if, in that environment, you would go crazy, the way Susanna almost did. The story itself keeps your interest all the way, and the characters are all very realistic, moving and at times, almost comical. This is not to make light of the very serious issues the film covers - but there are some moments that make you smile, like when the girls go bowling in the basement at night. There were two things that I thought were excellent about this film - the acting, which was top notch, especially Angelina Jolie's fantastic performance as sociopath Lisa and Whoopi Goldberg as the understated nurse Valerie. I also thought that the way the film captured the essence of feeling depressed and mixed up was brilliant - Susanna's flashbacks, and the way very small things had great significance. All in all, I would say Girl, Interrupted is a great movie, and one to watch for anyone who has ever suffered from depression or felt just a little 'crazy'!