Girl, Interrupted-1999

Director James Mangold

Starring Winona Ryder

Scott’s Review #461

Reviewed August 8, 2016

Grade: B+

Girl, Interrupted is a film I viewed twice when it came out (1999) and again in 2013.

The film is a star-making performance for Angelina Jolie (then unknown) and warrants a watch for that alone. Jolie completely steals the show as she portrays a damaged mental patient during the 1960s.

The film itself is interesting as its intended star is Winona Ryder, at this point in her heyday, but completely usurped by Jolie- glaringly so.

Ryder was in prime form as the “it” girl in the 1990s. Sadly, her star has since faded.

Besides the “who is the real star of Girl, Interrupted” debate, the film itself is very good, though it has a glossy, happily-ever-after Hollywood vibe.

It is not as gritty as it could have been.

Throughout, the film has a very safe feel- even in moments of peril, as when one girl commits suicide, or another suffers from burns, it feels light.

I did not buy Whoopi Goldberg as the kindhearted nurse. Her performance was okay, but it didn’t stand out.

Ryder and Jolie are tops.

Despite the subject matter, the film suffers from a chick-flick, cliché-ridden, happy-ending sort of style, but I still immensely enjoy it.

Oscar Nominations: 1 win-Best Supporting Actress-Angelina Jolie (won)