A remarkable recovery

Rating: 5/10 (26 August 2001)

The film's first half-hour plods along as it sloppily tries to set up and explain Susanna's (Ryder) current state. The use of flashback is no problem at first but there are about 4 or 5 flashbacks too many, telling the audience things they have already realised or don't really need to know anyway.
However, after this terrible start, the film bounces back spectacularly once the flashbacks are put aside. This is thanks mainly to the characters in the mental hospital - the sensitive Georgina (DuVall), aggressive but fragile Daisy (Murphy), the childlike Polly (Moss) and, last but definitely not least, Jolie's volatile rebel Lisa.
The film gets better and better as it goes on, the main interest point being the relationship between Lisa and Susanna, but there's a hugely effective subplot concerning Daisy's ordeal, which results in a fantastic and pivotal scene that sends the film into a great final act.
The performances are great. Ryder is more than competent as the subdued Susanna, but DuVall and Murphy are better by perfectly capturing their characters drive (or lack of). It is Jolie that fares best, however, with her snarling, seductive and dominating performance. She makes you hate Lisa but still long for her return, and she deserves all the praise she received.
Overall, the film is effective, at times funny, and a surprisingly good character study. 8/10