Movie Reviews Running With Scissors By Mitch Emerson October 27, 2006 - 11:30 Running With Scissors Director: Ryan Murphy Screenplay: Ryan Murphy Cast: Annette Bening Deirdre Burroughs, Brian Cox Dr Finch, Joseph Fiennes Neil Bookman, Evan Rachel Wood Natalie Finch, Joseph Cross Augusten Burroughs, Alec Baldwin Norman Burroughs, Gwyneth Paltrow Hope Finch, Kristin Chenoweth Fern Stewart, Jill Clayburgh Agnes Finch, Gabrielle Union Dorothy Running with Scissors is going to be one of those movies that slips quietly under most peoples radar. Even with a star studded cast such as Annette Bening, Brian Cox, Gwyneth Paltrow and Evan Rachel Wood, it has too much of an indie feel. Or I am completely wrong and this feature film debut for writer/director Ryan Murphy will be closet contender for at least a few awards. Personally I hope it's the latter. With scenes as out-there as a funeral for a cat, moon baths for cookware, and a miraculous bowel movement you'll have to see it for yourself. A great film that has moments of humor, depression, insanity and revelation, and a great classic rock soundtrack to boot,Running With Scissors is one of the best films I have seen this year. When Augusten Burroughs's(Joseph Cross) parents Deidre(Annette Bening), an aspiring poet and Norman (Alec Baldwin), an alcoholic, go their separate ways Augusten is stuck in the middle. All he wants is a normal family, what he gets is something else entirely. Adopted by his mother's psychiatrist Dr. Finch (Brian Cox), Augusten is thrust into a crazy and twisted world made up of Finch's family. While dealing with his mothers depression and his foster families idiosyncrasies, amazingly Augusten finds the time to find his own identity while dealing with multiple levels of insanity. I haven't read the book that this movie is based on but believe, next time I hit the bookstore I'll be picking this one up. I did ask a couple of people in the audience with if it was faithful to the book and was told that it stayed pretty close. This is a great movie, I recommend it and give it 4 ½ out of 5. I will be buying this one on DVD as soon as it comes out. I think everybody involved in this movie should get an Oscar. To play these characters without going over the top and becoming an all out farce had to be difficult. Bening, Cross and Cox all have wonderful moments that I can picture playing in the “Oscar nomination reel”. Annette Bening is no stranger to playing out-of-whack mothers, with American Beauty and this film under her belt she has it down pat. Alec Baldwin is the master at taking small, quirky roles and making them his own. The line “I see nothing of myself in you.” delivered as only Alec Baldwin can, is a perfect example. Brian Cox play Dr. Finch with a zealousness that borders on insanity. What am I saying, everyones insane in this movie. I'm just going to mention Joseph Fiennes, Jill Clayburgh, Evan Rachel Wood and Gwyneth Paltrow in passing. Each of them delivers a great performance, each with their own personal problems that are only explored in order to develop their relationships with the main players. I could go on and on about the performances but don't worry, I won't. Final thoughts – A movie for all occasions. Dates, parents, teens and friends can all get something out of this flick. Hell, I'd actually pay to see this again and I just might. Lots of laughs, great performances and a few heartfelt moments make this movie worthwhile. If I had to compare it to something, I would say it's like a Cameron Crowe film but on acid. Until you find kibble in the potato chip aisle, keep reading © Copyright 2002-2026 by Toon Doctor Inc. - All rights Reserved. All other texts, images, characters and trademarks are copyright their respective owners. Use of material in this document (including reproduction, modification, distribution, electronic transmission or republication) without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.