Running with Scissors (2006)

Instant Favorite.

hyped garbage

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

I really wanted to see Running with Scissors when in opened in Britain, as I love the book. Unfortunately, it was only on for a week at a few screens in London before closing, and having bought the DVD I can appreciate why.The book is Burrough's account of his childhood when his crazy mother leaves him to be looked after by her even crazier shrink and his family. It's a remarkable achievement as the author manages to make the often alarming events of his upbringing touching and funny.The film, though an accurate (but abridged) reflection of the book, seems to miss out on the fact that it's supposed to be a comedy. This is chiefly because it makes Augusten's mother the focus of the plot, when in the book it's her absence which is the driving force. Annette Bening does a fine portrayal of mental derangement but only captures the flavour of the novel occasionally, in for example, a bizarre poetry-reading she organises for her would-be literary friends.I liked Evan Rachel Wood's performance as Augusten's friend Natalie but she's only given a little screen time, when she should really be a central character. My favourite scenes in the novel - diving through the college waterfall and a trip whale-watching off Cape Cod - involve her but are omitted entirely here.The only time the movie truly flickered into life for me was during the closing credits, when the real-life Augusten Burroughs stands next to the actor playing his young self. But this single moment of playfulness and humour (qualities seen repeatedly in the book), isn't enough to save a film.

Before I bought this, I was intrigued to know how they could possibly have filmed the book accurately. They didn't. The book portrayed Burroughs' journey into and through adolescence gradually, describing repetitive, strange behaviour patterns in both Burroughs and his mother Deirdre, and using these to give the reader a depth of understanding of the path to the mid-teen Burroughs described towards the end of the book. There is no way that some of the events which are graphically described in the book could be shown in the same way in the film, but altering or redacting the events as extensively as has been done for the film severely reduces the viewers' understanding of Augusten Burroughs. That said, the humour which I saw in the book is at least partly still there (though truncated) and the film thus could possibly have the power to do for the mental health care profession what M.A.S.H. did for war.

I loved this movie! It is incredibly funny in that sarcastic sort of way, yet also has a lot of heart in it. This movie also stays quite true to the book, which is even funnier. The acting is great, especially Anette Benning's portrayal of a drugged out psychotic. It is hard to imagine what Augusten Burroughs went through considering the neglect he experienced as a young teenager. His mother gives custody of him to her psychiatrist who has her convinced that her ex-husband is dangerous and wants to kill her. Augusten has no choice but to live with Dr. Finch and his family, who are an eccentric bunch. He makes friends with the younger daughter and dates a man in his late 30's, as Dr. Finch's psychological beliefs dictate that humans are considered adults at age 13 and can make their own choices. Eventually, he comes to the realization that he wanted a normal life, rules, and a normal mother, not one that craves "toothpaste sandwiches" when she's going crazy.

I think this is literally the worst movie I have ever seen. A meandering "story" about a bunch of 70's flakes too busy feeling sorry for themselves and popping pills to pull their own heads out of their asses. There was no one to root for. After two hours, I just kept praying that someone, anyone would die or be killed. I hated them all and they all got exactly what they deserved. If anyone ever tries making you watch this, RUN AWAY. Was I supposed to feel sorry for these people? I just hated them all. They were all a product of their own stupidity. Never have I seen a film so devoid of likable characters. Who gave the green light for this odious piece of dog waste?