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Many will call the new film Running with Scissors brilliant. They will use words like artsy and inventive and clever. But they will say it only because it seems like the cool thing to say. They are scared to be grouped with those who "don't get it". Well, I have been cool and trust me, it's
overrated. I am now a fan of honest. This film is horrible. There I said it. Rally around me all those who dare.

Based on the book of the same name this new film follows the early years of Augusten Burroughs (Joseph Cross) as he copes with an alcoholic father (Alec Baldwin) and a fame hungry mother (Annette Bening). He is reluctantly pawned off on the family of his mother's shrink (Brian Cox) where he finds a whole new brand of crazy. The film is one episode after another of him dealing with his mother's unstableness and his longing for normalcy. All these events surely made for a great book of memoirs, but the film fails miserably. It tried so hard to be cutting edge and funny and out of the box. Problem is that once out of the box it had no rhythm to dance to and therefore staggered around for two hours.

Again I question the curse of abundant casting. Confucius, or maybe it was Yoda, said, Beware the superb credits less you find compensation for rotten story and plot. Jill Clayburgh, Evan Rachel Wood, Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Gabrielle Union. Names that normally deliver and they do what they can with what they have been given. But it still isn't enough to salvage one non redeeming scene after another.

Leaving the screening I heard a young woman behind me timidly say to her friend, "I liked it". But she said it as a question as if by admitting she
didn't would be an admission of uncoolness. Alas there will always be people who praise these films for the same reason eunuchs drive hummers. I could film myself in the act of projectile vomiting and they would rave about the use of shapes and color. So I am here to free you all from this vicious snarl by stating unashamedly, this movie stunk. 

Running with Scissors is rated R for strong language and elements of sexuality, violence and substance abuse. It is definitely not for those
under 17 and most will find something offensive about the film. For me the offensive part was the movie as a whole. Not for any one element but all the random pieces strung together. I hate the comparison game but in this instance it has to be made. Little Miss Sunshine did in 90 minutes what this film failed to do in 120. I give it 1 out of 5. 1 simply to throw the cast a bone for a decent performance. Oh and the soundtrack was good too. With a look at Running with Scissors, I'm Matt Mungle

The Mungle (10/25/06)

Matt is a member of the North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) and hosts the weekly syndicated Indie Rock Radio Show Spin 180. Plus with his wife Cindy they do a weekly radio feature, The Mungles on Movies. For additional reviews and interview clips visit the website www.mungleshow.com