Running with Scissors
I really liked this film which garnered some pretty harsh reviews on its release. It’s hard not to find a lot to like. The story is most original and based on Augusten Burrough’s experiences as his neurotic mother signs him over to her shrink and he ends up living in a weird suburban palace with a bunch of psychos. The film is about how he survives this and what he learns along the way. For the most part, the script is full of cracking lines and strange twists. The soundtrack of 70’s hits is great and the photography and set design live up to the excesses of the story. And then there is the acting. Annette Bening 
is a dream as Deirdre, the angry crazy mother. One of the performances of the year from an actress who never disappoints. Brian Cox as Finch, the weird psychiatrist also gives a very solid performance. There is a welcome return from Jill Clayburgh as his run down wife Agnes, Evan Rachel Wood and Gwyneth Paltrow do well as the daughters, Alec Baldwin as Augusten’s alcoholic father has some nice shades in his performance, Joseph Fiennes is almost unrecognisable as Bookman and Joseph Cross 
holds it all together well in the lead role. Everyone does well, but Bening (not for the first time) blows them all away when she is on screen. Ryan Murphy’s directorial debut is a good one and provided me with one of the most enjoyable films I’ve seen for a while. Sick, too ;)
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