Film: Running With Scissors

[QuestionEverything]

I just finished watching this film. I had heard a lot of hype about it and the book, and my mind isn't completely made up yet. I want to read the book still.

I liked it, but I don't know, I felt it was lacking something. It didn't feel complete and developed to me.

Anyone else seen it or have any thoughts??

From IMDb:

The story of how a boy was abandoned by his mother and how he, later, abandoned her. The year he'll be 14, the parents of Augusten Burroughs (1965- ) divorce, and his mother, who thinks of herself as a fine poet on the verge of fame, delivers him to the eccentric household of her psychiatrist, Dr. Finch. During that year, Augusten avoids school, keeps a journal, and practices cosmetology. His mother's mental illness worsens, he takes an older lover, he finds friendship with Finch's younger daughter, and he's the occasional recipient of gifts from an unlikely benefactor. Can he survive to come of age? Written by {[email protected]}

 

[Benefit]

Even though it has been described as such, this adaptation of Augusten Burroughs' acclaimed memoir is not a poor man's Wes Anderson film.

It has a lot in common with Wes Anderson, from the offbeat characters to the cooler-than-thou direction and the kickass soundtrack, but actually it has more in common with Igby Goes Down than with the Royal Tenenbaums. Taking a page from JD Salinger, this film delves the utterly fucked up lives of the upper middle class East Coast elite, the progeny of the New York gentry that has made its way down to us through the years. The Vanderbilt, Rockafeller and Astor bloodlines may have been diluted over the last century and half but the beautiful dysfunctionality that make rich people so interesting has been preserved and it makes for great movies.

This movie is exceptionally well acted. Annette Benning is incredible as the housewife with a hobby going increasingly insane, as are the supporting roles, especially Brian Cox and Jill Clayburgh as a married couple with a lot of weird shit going on in their lives. The soundtrack really helps elevate this film beyond mediocrity; there is a sequence featuring Al Stewart's Year of the Cat that works wonderfully.

Critics didn't really warm to this film; I don't know why. It's kind of pretentious and not that original, but I loved it. I think the movie relies heavily on its source material, which I haven't read but which apparently makes for good reading. When you adapt a movie from a great book, throw in some excellent actors and complement it with a dead on soundtrack, you pretty much can't miss.

 

[shannonsensimilla]

Didn't know they made a film version of this. Burroughs is probably living pretty comfortably now, I bet. I loved the memoir, especially the characters and the wacky behavior. I'll have to get out and rent this.

 

[alasdairm]

i t's been a while since i saw this so my memory is a little hazy - i recall really enjoying it but thinking the book would be much better. as always, brian cox is a delight.

alasdair

 

[CHiLD-0F-THE-BEAT]

i t's been a while since i saw this so my memory is a little hazy - i recall really enjoying it but thinking the book would be much better.

^Totally agree. But then again, The BookTM is always better, isn't it?

 

[mariacallas]

This DVD is still sitting on my shelf Haven't brought myself to watch it yet.
Love the book!

 

[xena]

i LOVE this film. i got really into the characters, and came to understand where they were all coming from. the acting all around was great.

confession: i cried when they made the holes in the kitchen ceiling, because i was so happy for them.

 

[QuestionEverything]

^That was the best scene in the entire film.

That said, I can now say with confidence that I found what I was looking for in the book.

 

[The Liberal Media]

Great movie, I wish they made one of his novel "Dry" which is one of the best books I have ever read.

 

[spork]

I loved the movie, but also still think the book is even better. Augusten Burroughs

 

[mariacallas]

^Finally watched this the other night. Loved it! Loved the tone, the atmosphere, the understated and hilarious script, etc.
The only thing that bothered me was that the dude who played Augusten looked so much like The Food Network's Tyler Florence...I kept expecting a frying pan and turkey to show up