Director
James Mangold made the stunning Copland a few years back. With that film he showed
Sylvester Stallone in a brand new light. He now returns with Girl, Interrupted
a film that could best be described One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest meets Steel
Magnolias.
Winona
Ryder is an intellectual with big problems. Following a suicide attempt, her parents
convince her to check into a psychiatric hospital. While there, she forms an unlikely
friendship with several other patients.
Ryder,
as usual, is quite subdued, while fellow actress Angelina Jolie chews up the scenery
as a firecracker of a patient who'll do anything to be the center of attention.
Mangold
is a master with characters and intricate storylines but Girl, Interrupted lacks
focus. It is comprised of many strong moments but there is much here that seems
unnecessary. Not to mention that it's hard to buy Ryder as a crazy person. It's
not a very fleshed out character.
Still,
this is a film with strong acting, particularly by Jolie and that's enough to
warrant a minor recommendation.
