Demons mingle with memories that hide within.

Rating: 6/10 (18 August 2000)

Not exposing. Not alarming. But a disturbing and well acted drama. This movie is based on the memoirs of an eighteen year old young woman confined to a psychiatric hospital in the mid 60s.
Winona Ryder plays Susanna Kaysen, who was put in a mental ward, because her parents felt she was lifeless and had no aspirations. She would over dose on aspirin in hopes of dulling the headaches caused by not feeling part of any particular social loop.
Ryder proves her talents in this role. Her expressions make up for the script that sometimes comes up laking. The movie though is stolen away from Miss Rider by co-star Angelina Jolie. Jolie plays a tough, raw and seductive psychotic mainstay in the asylum. The give and take relationship developing among a circle of patients is carefully recorded in Kaysen's journal. Kaysen manages to come to grips with reality and is deemed ready to join the outside 'normal' world.
There are a few, brief comical moments; but the movie is big time depressing. It is interesting enough to make you want to pick up a copy of the book.
Whoopi Goldberg actually surprised me. Her role as nurse Valerie was very good. This I feel is her best role to date, even beating out her part in GHOST. Also in the cast are Jeffrey Tambor and Joanna Kerns. Take the time to see this one.