 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Running with Scissors
- Review Date: February 5, 2007
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 2006
Common Sense Media says
Dysfunctional-family memoir wallows in smug humor.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this film isn't for kids. It's based on the true story of author Augusten Burroughs' extremely dysfunctional childhood (his manic mother handed him over to her therapist) and runs the gamut of bizarre, often-crazy behavior. Characters smoke, drink, use drugs, receive very questionable psychiatric treatment, and discuss suicide (in one scene, a boy is outfitted with electroshock therapy gear, though he's not shocked). The film includes frequent arguments between family members, with yelling, crying, and occasional aggression (including a knife threat at one point). Sexual images include lesbians kissing and hugging and an affair between a teenage boy and a 35-year-old man (who ends up being his adoptive brother). Lots of profanity, especially "f--k."
What's the story?
Based on Augusten Burroughs' bestselling 2002 memoir, RUNNING WITH SCISSORS follows the tumultuous relationship between the precocious Augusten (played as a 6-year-old by Jack Kaeding, thereafter by Joseph Cross) and his mother. Delusional, erratic, aspiring poet Deirdre (Annette Bening) is unable to set "boundaries" for her bewildered son and is in constant opposition with her alcoholic husband Norman (Alec Baldwin). Eventually, Deirdre turns to Dr. Finch's prescribed therapy and medication. When Norman leaves for good, Augusten is almost relieved to see his father go, but he's devastated when Deirdre leaves him with the quirky Finch family. Weary Mrs. Finch (Jill Clayburgh) proves to be the most compassionate and durable member of his new "family, " which includes two differently damaged daughters: devoutly religious Hope (Gwyneth Paltrow) and rebellious Natalie (Evan Rachel Wood). The boy finds some solace in bed with his new "brother," the darkly manic, 35-year-old Neil (Joseph Fiennes), but their romance is hardly healthy.
Is it any good?
More absurd than insightful, Running with Scissors treats its dangerously self-deluded characters as broadly comic figures. Director Ryan Murphy's film grapples with mature themes -- including child sexual abuse, drug and alcohol addiction, and mental illness -- but loses its way thanks to its episodic structure and flat-footed humor.
Organized by assorted traumas, the film seems dated and smug (think The World According to Garp). With its outsized, wannabe Oscar-bait performances, the movie careens from scene to scene, dropping in Deirdre's lesbianism as yet more evidence of her delirious search for "herself." By the time Augusten makes his escape, you're way ahead of him.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Augsten's difficult relationship with his mother. How does he come to eventually understand her behavior? How does the movie show that he has to leave her to survive, even though the separation is painful for both of them? What about Augusten's relationship with Neil? Is it abusive, tender and loving, or both? Does Augusten (the "victim") truly understand the nature of their relationship? How does his perspective of Neil change over time? Why? How is the "therapy" that Deirdre and Augusten receive from Dr. Finch bogus, detrimental, and dangerous? If you were in Augusten's position, how do you think you would have coped?
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AGE
love it
this is the greatest movie ever made funny stupid and dirty love it every 13-100 year old should see this movie
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AGE
deceived by the promos
could not decide if movie was meant to be funny, dramatic or a satire. it was slow moving and the story line was actually painful to watch. some small moments could not carry this movie nor its flippant attitude toward serious subjects. quality actors in this film and inspired sets could not improve the way this was filmed or the story line. definitely skip it!!!!!!!
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AGE
Wished that I watched something else at my free time!!!
Although the cover says it should be funny, It really wasn't. I thought it was just DUMB!!!
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AGE
I Love This Movie!
I read this book, and the movie was woderfully true, to this fabulous book. Running with Scissors, is a very strange & quirky story. While you are watching it, you have to remind yourself, that it is a memoir, and most of this stuff really happened! The characters are amazing, just do not let your child under 17 see this movie. It is definately Rated R for lots of reasons.
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AGE
This was a great movie and it made me cry.
When I rented this movie I was expecting a light hearted comedy. This movie is not like that at all. It has a few funny moments but it was a serious disturbing yet heart warming film. It had incredible acting, and taught you so much. I think anyone over the age of twelve should see this movie.
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AGE
Deceptive Marketing
I rented this video because it looked funny. Reading the box it appeared to be a COMEDY about a dysfunctional family.
The majority of the film my husband an watched had us swinging back and forth between shock and disbelief. It was never funny.
After about 35 min we turned off the film and put in Oceans 11. There may be families that are truely this dysfunctional but I won't waste my time watching them.
This film is highly inappropreate for children and young adults. AND I am including my 26 year old self in that category.
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AGE
One of the most fantastic movies I've seen,
But you certainly have to be able to understand it. It's a certain type of comedy that's hilarious but not many people want to understand; within the first twenty minutes, you'll know if you like it or not. It's all a matter of taste, but this was one of the most brilliant memoirs I've seen.
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AGE
If you were of age in the 70's
If you were at least 16 in 1970, and/or have had a significant number of friends who were clinically schizo you will enjoy this. Others probably won't relate. Since the writer was 14 at the time this all happened, and came out all right in the end, it seems perfectly appropriate to me for a 14 year old to watch, should they be interested, which would probably take a pretty special 14 year old. If your teens can't cope with language, drugs and sex as they are presented in this movie you should probably just throw your computer away right now and keep them away from all media, including the Bible, from now on!
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| Studio: | Columbia Tristar |
| Director: | Ryan Murphy |
| Cast: | Annette Bening, Brian Cox, Joseph Cross |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 120 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 20, 2006 |
| DVD release date: | February 6, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | for strong language and elements of sexuality, violence and substance abuse. |
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