Running with Scissors (2006)

As I was sitting in the theater with 20 other people, there was a palpable feeling of impatience and boredom. I believe a truly great film has one outstanding quality that separates it from mediocre films-- we CARE about what happens to the characters at the end. This movie tries extremely hard to achieve that but fails. You will not want to see this a second time ('re-watchability' is another sign of a standout film). While Augusten Burroughs may feel his life is fascinating, I believe he is self-absorbed to the point of narcissism. He had some unusual circumstances in his upbringing to be sure, but certainly some vignettes are exaggerated or not truthful, and some of his choices in life that failed were HIS choices. Ultimately, not only do we NOT care about these pathetic characters, we blame them for their own poor decisions. Okay, now having said that, it must be pointed out that 'Running With Scissors' not only contains some of the best acting of the year, but as an ensemble, the cast is EXCELLENT. This is easily Annette Bening's best performance ever; a real tour-de-force. She runs the gamut of emotions without chewing the scenery. My mother suffered a nervous breakdown when I was 12, and suffered many emotional problems which had an affect on me. So I could relate to the truthfulness of Annette Bening's character's ups and downs. I had thought that Meryl Streep in 'The Devil Wears Prada' would be my choice for Best Actress Oscar, but now it is Annette Bening. Brian Cox (HIS best ever), Alec Baldwin, and Evan Rachel Wood are top-notch. Due to the limitations of the character, Gwyneth Paltrow is muted, and though I adore her, and she's good here, this isn't her best. Joseph Fiennes is NOT a great actor, but this IS his best job yet. Kudos to Jill Clayburgh-- she was a mess, and let her skills shine through it all. It was a real treat to watch her. Surprisingly, Joseph Cross as the protagonist is a bit weak. He is 20 years old playing a 14 year-old. I couldn't buy it. Obviously, a true 14 year-old may not have been able to carry this film, but another late-teen might. Had Ryan Gosling been 18 and cast in this, HE might have caused us to care more. We needed a deeper actor than Joseph Cross. One nice thing about the movie is how it captures all the BS of the 70's in referencing over-medication and over-analysis for problem-solving. It even shows how electro-shock therapy was acceptable at one point for many ills, but no longer. Finally, there is something about this film that truly bugs me-- the trailer! We were led to believe that this would be a quirky film, with some wacky and interesting characters, a la 'The Royal Tennenbaums'. But the scenes in the trailer that came across as humorous carry serious weight in the film. I think the studio realized how heavy this movie was, and chose to market it as quirky to get more folks in. That isn't right, but typical of a studio. So I'm doing my part to tell you to NOT go see this, but maybe rent it on DVD to see some great acting (particularly Annette Bening). P.S. I just added this. I noticed another reviewer wrote that there was info about the characters at the end credits. I like reading credits, yet got out of there as soon as they started because I was so glad it was over. So there you go...

Fmovies: Loved the movie. Annette Bening is sure to be nominated again for her performance. She was so crazy, and yet so sympathetic that I found myself crying for her. Jill Clayburgh was a real treat. I'm very happy that these women have decided to let themselves show their age and not become the plastic people Hollywood has come to expect.The soundtrack was also great. I had the feeling that a lot of the actors involved in this movie were in it because they believed in the material, not only for the money. Gwynth Paltrow has a fun, small part, and it was good to see Kristin Chenowith on screen. A wonderful story, and a wonder that Mr. Burroughs survived the reality.

I am such a fan of the book RWS, and I couldn't wait for the movie to come out. I was not disappointed! (I have seen it twice already.) The movie was marvelously true to the book. Joseph Cross as Augusten was wonderful. In fact, all the actors were great. Seeing Annette Bening and Jill Clayburgh playing interesting "middle-aged" characters without the use of Botox was refreshing. Joseph Fiennes as Bookman was scary and sexy all at the same time. Dr. Finch was, well... see the movie.

Joseph Cross was perfect as a young Augusten. He appeared bright and wise for his age, and at the same time insecure and afraid. His ability to portray genuine emotion in the midst of such insanity was superb. He seemed at times as though he too was just an observer, as though he could not believe this was actually his life. We have not seen the last of Joseph Cross.

I predict Oscar nominations for Bening and Cross, as well as Best Picture, Best Director.

Running with Scissors fmovies. Running with Scissors takes you inside the memories of Augusten, an endearing kid growing up under the roof of a dysfunctional household only to find himself uprooted and transplanted into another equally troubled one. The real unsettling twist is that his new surroundings are even more questionable and more Edward Gory than he could ever imagine.

From there the film is a wild romp of scenes that build on each other until every mentally challenged character is a pile of screaming chaos. As complex and unattractive as that sounds Running with Scissors is a must see, after all it is a comedy. It is highly-stylized and fashion conscious from the costume design to the glossy editing. The technical aspects of the film are as redeeming as the grade of the entire cast led by Annette Bening's iconic performance. I hope you'll find it as enjoying and engrossing as I did.

Usually when I read the book before the movie, the movie can't live up to book. This time, the book was great and the movie more than lived up to it. It's strange that we can laugh at others' misfortunes but these situations are so absurd that they are hysterical. Each actor truly inhabited their parts. Annette Benning should be nominated for an Oscar. Brian Cox, Joseph Cross, and a great Jill Clayburgh really were amazing.

Needless to say, I highly recommend this movie. It's even more amazing when you realize it's based on what really happened to Augusten Burroughs. And stay through the credits.

I have read 2 of Agustine Bourroughs novels and I was, frankly, a little afraid that this one might be ruined by being re-cast as a movie. With this story in the hands of this director and this cast, my fears were groundless: it translated beautifully. I am sure that this is in no small part due to Burroughs personal involvement in the production, but greater authors have had their work ruined right under their noses, so it is a credit to both Author and creative staff that the engaging story remains intact. I think it gives a truthful depiction of what it is like to grow-up with mental illness in the family and also presents a metaphor for the craziness and dysfunction which is, at some level, in every family. The cast was all superb, especially Annette Benning and Jill Clayburgh. Joseph Cross and Joseph Fiennes were equally superb -- in fact, EVERYONE was so good I almost don't want to single anyone out. I will recommend this movie to friends.