Girl, Interrupted MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 Content: -3 1/2

Based on her best selling memoir, Susanna Kaysen (Winona Ryder) apparently attempts suicide in the late 1960s by taking large amounts of aspirin followed by a bottle of liquor. A psychiatrist says she has "Borderline Personality Disorder" and recommends she be admitted to Claymore Hospital. But the symptoms, uncertainty about self-image and other values, could fit almost any teen of the era. At Claymore, she meets other girls with mental problems ,like the sociopathic Lisa (Angelia Jolie) and Daisy (Brittany Murphy), a victim of incest who likes rotissere chicken and laxatives. At times, it seems the inmates are running the show, particularly Lisa. But when Daisy is released to live in her own apartment, a visit from Lisa and Susanna proves to be a turning point in everyone's life. And Susanna must ultimately choose whether to stay in the safe asylum or reclaim her independence. Although well acted by the award winning cast, this interesting and sometimes humorous view from inside the padded walls will find a limited audience with mainly older teens and young women.

At first, the hospital is frightening to Susanna but eventually she accepts the other girls as normal, slightly damaged rejects of society like her. Although somewhat related to the story, the film frequently contains offensive material. Lisa in particular, but other character as well frequently use obscenities including 55 f-words. Daisy's incest is referenced in graphic sexual terms. And Susanna is seen in bed with a man with sex implied. He later visits her and while they immediately jump in bed, the act is interrupted early. A reference to an affair with her professor is also made. Brief rear nudity is seen as a naked man runs by a window and Susanna is shown in a bath but no nudity is seen. Lisa goes to a bedroom with a man at a party, but leaves quickly after stealing a wallet. The hanging body of a suicide is seen in a prolonged scene. Drug use is referenced several times and the inmates trade pills for favors. Marijuana is smoked in one scene. While the story does reflect the confusion many young women feel and shows one way of working through problems, the offensive elements overwhelm the good points.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232