Running with Scissors (DVD, 2007)

This is the worst movie. Don't bother renting or buying it. A waste of time.
Such a wast of talent and great actors. Such a really stupid pretensious movie.
I can't even remember it very well just my annoyance at it and how I wished I had not had to sit through it. I always watch a movie to the end. and I coudon't wait until this ended.

What would it be like to be raised by a single parent, bipolar mother? This movie gives a true insight to that dilemma based on the autobiographical book by Augusten Burroughs. Deirdre Burroughs (Annette Bening) starts out the movie pretty believable. She is neglected by her husband Norman(Alec Baldwin) and adored by her 13 year old son Augusten (Joseph Cross). But when Norman finally has enough of her ranting, he leaves forever.

Deirdre then becomes the patient of a nutty psychiatrist, Dr. Finch(Brian Cox), and eventually turns over custody of her son to him. The doctor is a typical 1970s shrink that believes in popping pills for everything, group therapy, and letting your anger out. Meanwhile, Augusten is forced to live in the doctor's home with an assorted group of nuts: his wife Agnes (Jill Clayburgh) looks and acts like she has just had a lobotomy but ends up his savior; Hope Cox (Gwyneth Paltrow), the doctor's older daughter who hears messages from God; and Natalie (Evan Rachel Wood), the younger daughter who is rebellious and becomes Augusten's friend; and finally, Neil Bookman (Joseph Fiennes), another adopted son of the doctor who seduces Augusten into homosexuality.

It is amazing that Augusten kept his sanity throughout all of this.

Annette Bening gives a wonderful performance as Deirdre the mother, who eventually gets so doped up that she goes into a stupor. Several times, she is taken away in a strait jacket.

If you enjoy psychiatric movies like "Sybil," "White Oleander," or "The 3 Faces of Eve," you might enjoy this movie. However, this movie is produced more or less as a comedy. Sadly, considering that this story is basically nonfiction, it is abominable that this child had to try to survive through such an ordeal.

I won't tell you how it ends, but there are some reconciliations. However, some of the ramifications of the past cannot be changed.

I was a little dissappointed until I found out it was a true story. It's had to imagine that so many odd things can happen to one person. If you give the story a chance which is about 40 minutes it picks up nicely and ends well. This picture also was recommended by a friend. I found out that my daughter and granddaughter had read the book and really loved it. It is just so bizarre that at first you are wondering exactly what the point is to the movie. Give it a chance.

This is a great movie, I very much enjoyed it. You follow through this boys extremely messed up life.

This was not was I was expecting at all. The first 1/4 to 1/3 of the movie moves along a bit slowly but when the doctor enters the story things really begin to get the story moving. I also like that when the movie is over you are left feeling like you've been brought full circle with all of the main characters. All in all I would recommend this movie.

LOVE LOVE LOVE the movie! Read the book and went on ebay to find the movie. seller was fast!!! and movie was awesome!

The book is th first and foremost requirement before seeing or even considering purchasing this movie!!! The movie does not do justice to the work written by Mr. Burroughs in his novel "Running With Scissors."! He is very talented and I highly recommend reading his work starting ith the book "Running With Scissors.". The best part of the movie is the performance by annette Benning, which if you read any of the reviews she is the one given the spotlight. I purchased the movie since I am a collector of Mr. Burrough's but I hope he does not feel that his dedicated fan's feel that this poor work had any reflection on his genuine talent! I say rent it if anything but to not read at least this one book by this author is a great loss!
Ebay member haroldg33

This book was amazing. It chronicles what was really a horrible childhood frankly and without any self-pity and with great humor! It was almost as if he stepped outside his body and told the story as if it had happened to someone else. This book could have told the story of a tragedy of a childhood and it managed, somehow, to leave you feeling hopeful. The book is both gritty and touching.

I read the book and found it to be amusing. I was excited when the movie came out, however was very disappointed. It did not stay true to the book or the characters. Great cast, but the movie was slow, and basically boring. It was the first movie I ever fell asleep in. Don't waste your time

Not as good as the book. The book was wonderful. If you did not read the ook I don;t thik youcan appreciate the movie.

A wonderful, quirky movie about a group of severly self absorbed loons attempting to convince the world that they are actually distubed.

Loved the book, hated the movie; or I should say what I watched of it...turned it off after 15 minutes. The characters were less believable and more despicable in the movie.

Movie was in premo conditions, service was fast and shipping was prompt. Could not ask for more. I will do buisness again I am sure...
Ms. Matthews

Movie arrived early and was in good condition. Would order from this seller again. Movie was not good - but the service from the seller was great. I did not reach the movie first.

If you like a story that covers the broad spectrum, this is a good film to see. It is both hysterical and deeply sad as you watch a collection of characters try to navigate a world of total dysfunction. Bening's performance is outstanding! Not a film for those who prefer to be led by a nose-ring. You actually have to look at the storyline from several perspectives.

I recieved the movie promptly. That was great , and movie was in good shape. Not any ones fault but the movie itself I did'nt like. Would not recomend the movie. But he seller did well.

Honest to God, whatever possessed ANYONE in Hollywood to have anything to do with this sorry excuse of a movie is beyond me. Can you imagine Annette Bening, Joseph Fiennes, Alec Baldwin, Jill Clayburgh, Evan Rachel Wood, Brian Cox, Joseph Cross right on down to the assistant caterer, reading the script for this drivel and thinking "I HAVE to be a part of this!" A quick rundown of the story; a young teen boy's schizo failure of a writer mom decides she would rather pursue success than to raise her 14 year old boy, so she allows her nut-job therapist to adopt him. This therapist gets messages from God in his bowel movements (I am NOT making this up). The boy's alcoholic dad wants nothing to do with him. Meanwhile the therapist's other adopted son, who wants to kill him, begins an affair with the 14 year old boy, who decides he is probably gay. Then there are the nutso daughters and manic depressive wife of the therapist...oh well, don't want to ruin the storyline, such as it is. And the studios wonder why people don't go to the movies anymore?!?