Review of Running with Scissors (2006) by Kevinm. — 22 Nov 2006

I found this film deeply moving and tragic, while still keeping an absurdist view of the writer's circumstances. I'm perplexed by the bimodal reviews, as I found many of the performances, particularly Annete Bening's, Joseph Fienne's, Jill Clayburgh's and Evan Rachel Wood's most certainly Oscar worthy.

I noted that the audience at times were laughing at the screen when I felt something more tragic occurring. Perhaps this is a justification for mixed reactions. However, as oddball as the characters were, I felt they did ring true, especially through the eyes of the misfit lead, abandoned by his psychotic mother.

Since I actually know people as strange as these characters, it didn't seem so unbelievable to me. In fact, this coming of age tale reminded me of American Beauty.