RUNNING WITH SCISSORS

A fun movie with serious undertones.

I found this film to be fascinating. The characters, the story, the emotions are all so touching. The acting is exactly what you want in a movie. It seems effortless and is so well done that you don't ever feel like these people aren't real. With a killer soundtrack and stimulating visuals this film stands out.

Based on the real life memoirs of Augusten Burroughs this film is quirky and hysterical. Augusten lead a unique childhood to say the least. His parents were too in to themselves to notice him much and so he ends up living with his mother's shrink. His new family is totally bizarre and intriguing to say the least. The film covers his new experiences and growth as a teenage boy struggling to make people care about him. Joseph Cross gives a great performance as Augusten, but it is Annette Bening that steals the entire movie with every one of her scenes. She is an incredible actress and is well-deserving of her Golden Globe nomination for this role. Her character of Augusten's mother is the most complex and deep roles in the film, and Bening nails it. All of the characters are witty and fun to watch while being the ultimate pulse of this film.

Ryan Murphy wrote and directed this film well. He created a fantasy like world that seems imagined, but is actually based on true events. I think it always helps when the original writer, this case being Augusten Burroughs, is on hand to help make films more true to the book. The moments captured are hilariously outrageous, but are consistently hinting and more serious issues. When looked at deeper the film covers a broad base of issues that many of us can relate to. Family troubles, coming of age, and forced interactions with ridiculous people are all topics we have to deal with. The film makes light of some of these, but overall is rather touching in its approach.

The soundtrack is one of the best this year. It showcases great songs from the 70's that fit the mood of the film just right. Camera shots are well done and capture the sets in a very effective manner. Bright colors and great wardrobe choices add to the visual manifesto. Go into this film with an open mind and a good sense for dry humor and I think you will enjoy it.


GRADE: A
TRAILER: http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/runningwithscissors/