Girl Interrupted

Girl, Interrupted was the movie I chose to watch for my Film Review. This 1999 movie, directed by James Mangold, tells a true tale of a woman’s eighteen-month stay at a psychiatric hospital. This woman, Susanne Kaysen, appears to be depressed and aimless as she finishes her high school career. After a suicide attempt, she finds herself trapped in a mental institution called Claymore Hospital. Although I’ve seen this movie many of times, it still always has an impact on me. Now that I know more about psychology, I feel as though I watched the movie in a different perspective. Also, actually paying attention to every detail and analyzing the movie, has changed the way it has influenced me.

The main character in this movie, whose life it is based on, is Susanna played by Winona Ryder. Her sidekick, Lisa played by Angelina Jolie, is the next main character. Other important characters include Dr. Valerie, Daisy, Polly or “Torch,” Georgina, Susanna’s parents, and Toby. All of the characters that Susanna meets in the institution, are all portrayed differently. They are all so-called “crazy,” but each have their own problems. One is a pathological liar, a socio-path, an anorexic, etc. Although these women are portrayed as crazy, they do not quite fit the “insane” look. At some parts of the movie, they seems just like any other woman out on the street. One can see their emotions and reactions to things that would normally affect a regular person. For example, when Lisa and Susanna find out Daisy’s secret about under her bed. One can truly see how hurt and affected Daisy is by their laughing and how embarrassed she is. The movie tries its hardest to portray these woman as “crazy” as these seem to appear. It succeeds throughout most of the movie but only to a certain point. The movie does a good job to show the severity of these women’s illnesses, but not showing any treatments besides medication, and the way the women are treated by the orderlies are surprising. For example, the orderlies and the patients are friendly with one another and they treat one another with respect. Aside from outbursts, and using it when needed, there is no force shown by the orderlies to put the patients back in line. Also, some treatments used in earlier times, such as shock-treatments, are not shown at all during the movie. The fact that these treatments are not shown makes the movie a lot better, because it is easier to watch. One doesn’t have to watch these characters go through any more pain then they already are. The movie portrays Susanna’s parents as the normal high class female and male. They are a very wealthy couple, and some instances in Susanna’s life shows that they are almost embarrassed of her condition. However, one can tell the hurt her mom feels during their session at the mental institution. This is where Susanna gets her diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. The movie portrays Dr. Valerie as a friend to the women, instead of their doctor. She and the women have a good relationship and are very open with each other. However, Dr. Valerie is not afraid to admit her opinion about these women. During the scene when she dumps Susanna in the cold water, she tells Susanna that she doesn’t even think she is “crazy.” She uses words as “self-centered,” “little girl,”