My friend and me hadn’t really intended on watching this film, we were at meadowhall (uk shopping mall) and thought that we’d catch a movie and as nothing else was on at that particular time we decided to watch this and I’m really glad that we did.
Although it wasn’t really a commercial hit it is a really excellent film dealing with the difficult issue of mental health. The film is based on a book by Susanna Kaysen of the same name, Girl interrupted. It is based on her own story.
So heres how the story goes, the film (and book) is based on the life of one girl Susan (Winona Rider)and her descent into ’madness’.Whether she is actually is actually mad or not is left rather ambigous. She is put into a mental institution which she signs herself into but later finds that she cannot leave until she is classed as ’sane’.
Once in the institution she meets a whole host of characters who are in the institution for a variety of reason such as obsessive compulsive disorder and self harming.
She forms friendships with them all but gets closest to Angelina Jolie’s character, the institute bully.
The acting is almost flawless from all of the main characters and it is fascinating to see how the patients relate to each other. Especially concerning the mind games played by the uncontrollable but highly manipulative bully.
We get insite into all of the characters and unlike many film they do not suddenly shift in character or immediately recover from their ’madness’.
The story is very unpredictable and especially so as you cannot be sure how the characters will react to things as they are all mentally ill, this grips you and keeps you interested right until the very end of the film.
The fact that the film is based on a true story brings it a strong sense of realism and a certain grittiness. It also bring issues such as how we classify the mentally ill and treatment in mental institutions into focus and really makes you think.
I always love movies that make you think of the bigger picture while still remaining entertaining
A gripping, touching and gritty film which was overlooked when it came out at the cinema, well worth watching.