Great movie, great actresses

Rating: 8/10 (16 November 2006)

Ryder and Jolie are outstanding in this movie, giving a realistic feel to the asylum life, small victories by the girls against "the system" and a peek into the lives of the psychotic. Jolie steals the spotlight, even though you feel both sorry for her and want to villify her. One of her best movies. Not Ryder's best, but she does a very good job as well. You're on her side throughout the movie, understanding she's really "not one of the psychos", yet dealing with mental chaos herself. Well worth watching, some of the scenes are hilarious, especially the one at the ice cream parlor. Whoopie Goldberg does an adequate job as the RN, and you empathize for her situation dealing with girls she desperately wants to help, yet realizes some will never be ready to leave. The scene with Goldberg watching Ryder shave her legs and the rebellious Ryder's comments make you see the teen angst side of a young girl's problems. I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys movies other than those addicted to only action/adventure flicks.