Girl, Interrupted (film)

Girl, Interrupted (film)
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Name	Girl, Interrupted
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	James Mangold
Producer	Douglas Wick, Cathy Konrad
Screenplay	James Mangold, Lisa Loomer, Anna Hamilton Phelan
Based on	Girl, Interrupted, Susanna Kaysen
Starring	Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Clea DuVall, Brittany Murphy, Elisabeth Moss, Jared Leto, Jeffrey Tambor, Vanessa Redgrave, Whoopi Goldberg
Music	Mychael Danna
Cinematography	Jack N. Green
Editing	Kevin Tent
Studio	Columbia Pictures, Red Wagon Entertainment
Distributor	Sony Pictures Releasing
Released	1999, 12, 21, United States
Runtime	127 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$40 million
Gross	$48.3 million

Girl, Interrupted (film) is a 1999 American psychological drama directed by James Mangold and based on the 1993 memoir of the same name by Susanna Kaysen. Set in the late 1960s, the film follows a young woman's 18-month stay at a psychiatric hospital and her complex relationships with other patients. Featuring an ensemble cast led by Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie, the film explores themes of mental illness, identity, and institutionalization against the backdrop of the counterculture of the 1960s.

Plot

In 1967, after a suspected suicide attempt, 18-year-old Susanna Kaysen is admitted to Claymoore Hospital, a psychiatric facility, following a brief consultation with a psychiatrist, Dr. Potts. She is diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and struggles to accept her confinement. Susanna befriends a group of patients, including the pathological liar Georgina Tuskin, the burn victim Daisy Randone, and the anorexic Janet Webber. She becomes particularly fascinated by the charismatic and sociopathic Lisa Rowe, who frequently challenges the hospital's authority. The narrative follows Susanna's turbulent journey as she navigates therapy sessions with her therapist, Dr. Melvin Potts, and a sympathetic nurse, Valerie Owens, while grappling with her own sanity and the oppressive nature of the institution.

Cast

* Winona Ryder as Susanna Kaysen * Angelina Jolie as Lisa Rowe * Clea DuVall as Georgina Tuskin * Brittany Murphy as Daisy Randone * Elisabeth Moss as Polly Clark * Jared Leto as Tobias Jacobs * Jeffrey Tambor as Dr. Melvin Potts * Vanessa Redgrave as Dr. Sonia Wick * Whoopi Goldberg as Valerie Owens * Angela Bettis as Janet Webber * Jillian Armenante as Cynthia Crowley * Travis Fine as John

Production

The film was developed by Columbia Pictures and produced by Douglas Wick through his company Red Wagon Entertainment. Director James Mangold co-wrote the adapted screenplay with Lisa Loomer and Anna Hamilton Phelan, drawing directly from the experiences detailed in Susanna Kaysen's memoir. Principal photography took place in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with the former Harrisburg State Hospital serving as the primary location for Claymoore Hospital. Mychael Danna composed the film's score, which incorporates period-appropriate music from artists like The Doors and Jimi Hendrix. The production design aimed to authentically recreate the atmosphere of a late-1960s psychiatric institution.

Themes and analysis

The film is a critical examination of mental health treatment and the definition of normalcy in the late 1960s. Central themes include the subjectivity of psychiatric diagnosis, the institutional repression of women, and the search for identity. The character of Lisa Rowe is often analyzed as an embodiment of rebellious, unchecked id, contrasting with Susanna's internal conflict. The film questions whether the hospital is a place of healing or merely a repository for women who deviate from societal expectations, a concept explored in works like The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. The setting during the Vietnam War era further highlights themes of confinement versus freedom.

Reception

Upon its release, the film received mixed reviews from critics. Praise was heavily directed at Angelina Jolie's performance, with many noting her electrifying and dominating screen presence. However, some critics, such as Roger Ebert, felt the narrative lacked depth compared to other films in the genre like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The film was a modest commercial success, grossing approximately $48 million worldwide against a $40 million budget. Over time, it has gained a significant cult following and is frequently discussed in analyses of films about mental illness.

Accolades

The film's primary recognition came for the performance of Angelina Jolie. At the 72nd Academy Awards, Jolie won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also received the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role. Winona Ryder was nominated for a Satellite Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture. The American Film Institute later nominated the character Lisa Rowe for their list of AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes and Villains.

Category:1999 films Category:American psychological drama films Category:Films based on autobiographies Category:Films about psychiatry Category:Films set in the 1960s