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Running with
Scissors is going to be one of those movies that slips quietly under
most peoples radar. Even with a star studded cast such as Annette Bening,
Brian Cox, Gwyneth Paltrow and
Evan Rachel Wood, it has too
much of an indie feel. Or I am completely wrong and this feature film
debut for writer/director Ryan Murphy will be closet contender for at
least a few awards. Personally I hope it's the latter. With scenes as
out-there as a funeral for a cat, moon baths for cookware, and a
miraculous bowel movement you'll have to see it for yourself. A great
film that has moments of humor, depression, insanity and revelation, and
a great classic rock soundtrack to boot,Running With Scissors is one of
the best films I have seen this year.
When
Augusten Burroughs's (Joseph Cross) parents Deidre (Annette Bening), an
aspiring poet and Norman (Alec Baldwin),
an alcoholic, go their separate ways Augusten is stuck in the middle.
All he wants is a normal family, what he gets is something else
entirely. Adopted by his mother's psychiatrist Dr. Finch (Brian Cox),
Augusten is thrust into a crazy and twisted world made up of Finch's
family. While dealing with his mothers depression and his foster
families idiosyncrasies, amazingly Augusten finds the time to find his
own identity while dealing with multiple levels of insanity.
I haven't
read the book that this movie is based on but believe, next time I hit
the bookstore I'll be picking this one up. I did ask a couple of people
in the audience with if it was faithful to the book and was told that it
stayed pretty close. This is a great movie, I recommend it and give it 4
½ out of 5. I will be buying this one on DVD as soon as it comes out.
I think
everybody involved in this movie should get an Oscar. To play these
characters without going over the top and becoming an all out farce had
to be difficult. Bening, Cross and Cox all have wonderful moments that I
can picture playing in the “Oscar nomination reel”. Annette Bening is no
stranger to playing out-of-whack mothers, with American Beauty and this
film under her belt she has it down pat. Alec Baldwin is the master at
taking small, quirky roles and making them his own. The line “I see
nothing of myself in you.” delivered as only Alec Baldwin can, is a
perfect example. Brian Cox plays Dr. Finch with a zealousness that
borders on insanity. What am I saying, everyone's insane in this movie.
I'm just going to mention Joseph Fiennes, Jill Clayburgh, Evan Rachel
Wood and Gwyneth Paltrow in passing. Each of them delivers a great
performance, each with their own personal problems that are only
explored in order to develop their relationships with the main players.
I could go on and on about the performances but don't worry, I won't.
Final
thoughts – A movie for all occasions. Dates, parents, teens and friends
can all get something out of this flick. Hell, I'd actually pay to see
this again and I just might. Lots of laughs, great performances and a
few heartfelt moments make this movie worthwhile. If I had to compare it
to something, I would say it's like a Cameron Crowe film but on acid.
Until you
find kibble in the potato chip aisle,
keep reading
Mitch
Emerson
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