Educating Louisa – Part Seven: Girl, Interrupted
When the Fellows and Associates team hired Louisa, it was on the basis that she was an intelligent, cultured and interesting individual – qualities that she exuded during her interview. Unfortunately, what they didn’t know is that Louisa’s ‘films viewed’ portfolio was disappointingly unrefined. Pete Fellows has therefore taken on the role of teacher of all things cinema, and will assign different ‘must see’ films for Louisa to watch and review, for both her own education and your reading pleasure.
Girl, Interrupted: A Tame yet Telling Tale of Life in a Psychiatric Facility
We thought we’d mix things up a little this month. The power of choice had gone to Pete’s head, so film selection responsibilities fell to Phillipa for a change. I was relieved, as from previous conversations she had presented a more compatible taste in films. I wasn’t disappointed with her decision – ‘Girl, Interrupted’. I read the film’s synopsis and it sounded ideal. I adore ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ and this had the potential to be its all-female counterpart.
Set in 1960’s America and based on Susanna Kaysen’s memoir of the same name, ‘Girl, Interrupted’ follows 18 year old Susanna (Winona Ryder) who voluntarily (yet with a nudge from her middle class parents) places herself in an upmarket psychiatric facility after a failed suicide attempt. Having only seen Ryder play a gooey eyed girl next door type in 90’s classics such as Edward Scissor Hands, ‘Girl, Interrupted’ was a welcome departure.
Since its release, the film has been criticised by the likes of Kaysen herself for being sensationalised – a criticism, in my opinion, that is truly dumbfounding. The star studded cast make a respectable attempt at presenting the mellow truths of life in a psychiatric facility and, if anything, I would have preferred a little more drama. In parts the pace is over realistically subdued, occasionally resembling a documentary.
There is a lack of character exploration, especially with regards to Susanna. The plot provides little reason to sympathise with most of the patients – bar Lisa that is, who due to her ensuing exploits is arguably the least deserving of them all. Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of the almost lovable yet manipulative sociopath offers a saving grace. The dangerously thrilling friendship that blossoms between her and Susanna, as well as the disastrous events surrounding their short lived escape is truly captivating.
There are a number of noteworthy moments in which the characters grapple with difficult subject matter that is both symbolic and appropriate for a modern day audience. For example, it explores the issues surrounding Susanna’s Borderline Personality Disorder and Compulsive Promiscuity diagnosis. It addresses the over use of labels and raises the point that if you search hard enough for an issue you will find one eventually. Aren’t we all a little borderline anyway? There is also an exchange between Susanna and her psychiatrist that provides interesting food for thought. She asks “how many guys would a girl have to sleep with to be considered promiscuous? Three, four, ten? How many girls would a guy have to sleep with? Fifteen? Forty? A hundred and nine??”.
My main bug bear with ‘Girl, Interrupted’ is the conclusion. The message portrayed is that you can give in to madness (like Lisa) or just get over it and get on with your life as Susanna inevitably does. Unfortunately it’s just not that simple. I feel it is a dangerous message to convey, considering the undue stigma attached to mental health and the ‘cheer up it’s not that bad’ mentality that is demonstrated all too often in modern day society.
Overall, ‘Girl, Interrupted’ falls short of the raw grit of ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’, with which you can’t help but make comparisons. That being said, what it lacks in thrill it makes up for with realism and exceptional early career performances from Jolie and Ryder – it is worth watching for the latter alone. Putting its flaws aside, ‘Girl, Interrupted’ is an interesting exploration of life in a psychiatric facility, and it deserves credit for highlighting some important points surrounding mental health diagnosis that are still very much relevant today.
Next time, Pete’s in charge again. So Louisa will be reviewing 2008 ‘classic’ (apparently) ‘JCVD’ starring JCVD himself (Jean-Claude Van Damme that is).