Lisa of course

Rating: 8/10 (19 January 2000)

This movie is in most aspects unremarkable. I enjoyed it thoroughly; however, it was a pale reflection of the superb film adaptation of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The script was not true enough to Kaysen's novel. Why, then you might ask, should you part with $7.50 to see this film? I can afford you only one reason, but it's a damn good one. Her name is Angelina Jolie, and her performance crackles with the energy of Jack Nicholson in The Shining. You cannot help but be taken in by her. She sets the screen ablaze with her brash honesty, quick wit, and total and complete lack of conscience. She is what you have always wanted to be but were to afraid to admit it, or so you think. Until you realize along with the main character that she lacks any moral consideration of others there is only her in her world and what she needs because to her others do not matter. She fears nothing, and so she cares about nothing which gives her license to do whatever she pleases, no consequences. She's the very definition of dangerous. This is never explained in the movie, but Jolie gets it across. She's incredible. Give her the golden globe and the oscar.

Unfortunately, the real tragedy of this film is Winona Ryder. She does a beautiful and poignant job of illustrating the conflicts within her character, but for all of her beauty, talent, and poise she cannot stand up to Jolie who dominates every scene in which she appears... and when she exits the scene for some time toward the end of the film she leaves the audience asking the same question as Susanna over and over, "Where's Lisa?"