One for the Girls

Rating: 10/10 (3 January 2003)

Be aware: the "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" comparison only goes so far. And never, ever, in a derogatory fashion. "Girl, Interrupted" is set in the female ward of a women's psychiatric hospital, in the 70's and details the Protagonist's, Susanna Kaysen, struggle to rid herself of the craziness which she feels haunts her.Ryder fits into her role with a comfort which you know is almost too close. However this is very much Jolie's movie. She gives a performance which, like Susanna, the audience are forced to fall in love with the Sociopath Lisa, and believe that it is a good thing. If viewers are not Jolie fans before watching this they certainly will be afterwards. Another lovely performance is from the delightful (and, like Jolie and Ryder, scarily convincing in character) Brittany Murphy, whose chicken hoarding Daisy sparkles throughout the movie, however briefly. Mangold directs in an almost fairytale-like style which forces his audience to become completely enthralled in Claymore life, and encourages that between sane and insane there is a fine line which we all tread. The movie fills the gaps which are left in Kaysen's stirring memoir, making it a startling adaptation, and awakening movie. Shifting between touching and gripping, funny and sad, Girl, Interrupted is a movie worth the praise it is given.