Girl, Interrupted (1999) Film Review: A Raw and Honest Portrayal of Mental Illness

 

Girl, Interrupted (1999), directed by James Mangold, is an intense and thought-provoking drama based on the memoir by Susanna Kaysen. Set in the 1960s, the film tells the story of Kaysen’s time in a psychiatric hospital, where she encounters a range of characters, each grappling with their own mental health issues. Starring Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, and Whoopi Goldberg, the film explores themes of mental illness, identity, and the struggle to find meaning in an often confusing and disorienting world.

Winona Ryder’s Performance as Susanna Kaysen

At the center of Girl, Interrupted is Susanna Kaysen, a young woman who has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital after a suicide attempt. Winona Ryder’s portrayal of Susanna is raw and deeply nuanced. The character, in her early twenties, is lost, struggling to understand herself and her place in a world that seems to offer no clear answers. Ryder captures Susanna’s sense of disillusionment and confusion, navigating between moments of vulnerability and defiance. The film doesn’t provide easy answers about Susanna’s mental health, and that ambiguity is part of what makes her character so compelling.

Angelina Jolie’s Oscar-Winning Role as Lisa Rowe

One of the standout performances in Girl, Interrupted is Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Lisa Rowe, a sociopath who spends her time in the psychiatric hospital. Lisa is charming, manipulative, and unpredictable, and Jolie brings an electrifying energy to the role. She earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal, which is nothing short of mesmerizing. Lisa’s presence in the film is one of chaos and freedom, and she serves as a foil to Susanna’s more restrained and self-reflective journey. Their friendship—complicated, tense, and full of moments of both tenderness and conflict—drives much of the emotional core of the film.

The Women Around Susanna: A Complex Ensemble Cast

The film introduces us to several other key characters, each of whom reflects a different aspect of mental illness. Whoopi Goldberg plays Valerie, a compassionate nurse who becomes a grounding presence for Susanna, offering both support and tough love. There’s also Janet (Angela Bettis), who suffers from bulimia, and Polly (Vanessa Redgrave), whose severe burns serve as a symbol of her emotional trauma. Each of these characters represents different struggles and experiences with mental illness, and the film doesn’t shy away from showing the complexities of their conditions. The hospital setting becomes a microcosm of the broader society, where mental illness is often misunderstood and stigmatized.

Exploring Themes of Identity and Mental Illness

At its core, Girl, Interrupted is a film about identity—what it means to be “normal” and how mental illness shapes a person’s sense of self. The title of the film itself suggests a disruption of the idea of a typical life, as Susanna’s hospitalization forces her to confront questions of who she is and what she’s supposed to be. The film doesn’t offer a clear diagnosis of each character’s condition, but instead explores the different ways in which society labels and attempts to define mental illness.

Throughout the film, Susanna’s journey is one of self-discovery. She grapples with the question of whether she truly belongs in the psychiatric hospital or if she’s simply being forced into a box by a society that doesn’t understand her. The film also delves into the idea of institutionalization and the way mental health institutions often dehumanize those who seek help. The relationships between the patients and staff are complicated, with moments of empathy, but also a sense of control and confinement.

A Cinematic Approach to Mental Health

The film’s direction and cinematography work to create an atmosphere that reflects the inner turmoil of its characters. The hospital, with its sterile walls and imposing architecture, becomes a character in itself—cold and isolating, yet offering moments of intimacy and connection between the women. The pacing is slow and contemplative, allowing space for the characters’ emotional journeys to unfold.

The soundtrack, featuring songs like "The End of the World" by Skeeter Davis, complements the film’s themes of hopelessness, longing, and personal struggle. The music helps to underscore the disorienting and emotional nature of the story, further immersing the audience in the characters' experiences.

Mental Health and Society’s Expectations

One of the most
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