Ok, the premise of a story of someone living into a mental hospital for 18 months doesn't entice most to take a look at a film like this.
I was partial skeptical what direction the film would take once inside i.e lack of care, beatings by staff etc thankfully this was not the case as it concentrates on the main characters illness and didn't take it in another direction other films have covered in the past.
Another thing that keeps it being very watchable, is the general upbeat nature of the film despite the subject matter, had it been depressing all the way through it would have been a slog, but there are some happy, funny, joyful and of course sad moments, but with a great mixture throughout the screenwriter must be commended for the outcome.
Quite how Winona Ryder did not even receive an Oscar nomination is beyond me, yes Angelina did a wonderful job in her role, but Winona in an understated character role clearly went under the radar for acting too well it seems!
I was partial skeptical what direction the film would take once inside i.e lack of care, beatings by staff etc thankfully this was not the case as it concentrates on the main characters illness and didn't take it in another direction other films have covered in the past.
Another thing that keeps it being very watchable, is the general upbeat nature of the film despite the subject matter, had it been depressing all the way through it would have been a slog, but there are some happy, funny, joyful and of course sad moments, but with a great mixture throughout the screenwriter must be commended for the outcome.
Quite how Winona Ryder did not even receive an Oscar nomination is beyond me, yes Angelina did a wonderful job in her role, but Winona in an understated character role clearly went under the radar for acting too well it seems!