Running with Scissors (2006)

Young Augusten Burroughs absorbs experiences that could make for a shocking memoir: the son of an alcoholic father and an unstable mother, he's handed off to his mother's therapist, Dr. Finch, and spends his adolescent years as a member of Finch's bizarre extended family.

Director:

Ryan Murphy

Writers:

Ryan Murphy (screenplay), Augusten Burroughs (book)

Stars:

Joseph Cross, Annette Bening, Brian Cox

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Annette Bening	...	Deirdre Burroughs
Brian Cox	...	Dr. Finch
Joseph Fiennes	...	Neil Bookman
Evan Rachel Wood	...	Natalie Finch
Alec Baldwin	...	Norman Burroughs
Joseph Cross	...	Augusten Burroughs
Jill Clayburgh	...	Agnes Finch
Gwyneth Paltrow	...	Hope Finch
Gabrielle Union	...	Dorothy
Patrick Wilson	...	Michael Shephard
Kristin Chenoweth	...	Fern Stewart
Dagmara Dominczyk	...	Suzanne
Colleen Camp	...	Joan
Jack Kaeding	...	Six-Year-Old Augusten Burroughs
Gabriel Guedj	...	Poo

Storyline

The story of how a boy was abandoned by his mother and how he, later, abandoned her. The year he'll be 14, the parents of Augusten Burroughs (1965- ) divorce, and his mother, who thinks of herself as a fine poet on the verge of fame, delivers him to the eccentric household of her psychiatrist, Dr. Finch. During that year, Augusten avoids school, keeps a journal, and practices cosmetology. His mother's mental illness worsens, he takes an older lover, he finds friendship with Finch's younger daughter, and he's the occasional recipient of gifts from an unlikely benefactor. Can he survive to come of age?

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Plot Keywords:

gay couple | down syndrome | writer | fame | writing | 

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Taglines:

He's looking forward to a memory he won't have to suppress

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language and elements of sexuality, violence and substance abuse

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 October 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Recortes de mi vida

Filming Locations:

Milbank & McFie House - 3340 Country Club Drive, Midtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$226,108, 22 October 2006, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$6,754,898, 19 November 2006

Company Credits

Production Co:

Plan B Entertainment,Sound for Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

DTS SDDS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Julianne Moore was originally attached to play Deirdre Burroughs.

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Goofs

Deirdre Burroughs medicine cabinet of pill bottles contains some with a combo child resistant/ easy opening top, which wasn't developed until the 1990s.

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Quotes

Norman Burroughs: I don't understand.
Six-Year-Old Augusten Burroughs: I polish my allowance. I boil it clean, then polish it with silver polish.
Norman Burroughs: But why, Augusten? Why?
Six-Year-Old Augusten Burroughs: Because I like shiny things.
Norman Burroughs: I really don't see myself in you at all.
Six-Year-Old Augusten Burroughs: I'm more like my mom. I want to be special and I want to be famous.

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Connections

References Frankenstein (1931)

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Soundtracks

Very Early
(1956-58)
Written by Bill Evans
Performed by The Bill Evans Trio
Courtesy of Concord Music Group, Inc.

User Reviews

Loved it! Loved it! Loved it!

I am such a fan of the book RWS, and I couldn't wait for the movie to come out. I was not disappointed! (I have seen it twice already.) The movie was marvelously true to the book. Joseph Cross as Augusten was wonderful. In fact, all the actors were great. Seeing Annette Bening and Jill Clayburgh playing interesting "middle-aged" characters without the use of Botox was refreshing. Joseph Fiennes as Bookman was scary and sexy all at the same time. Dr. Finch was, well... see the movie.

Joseph Cross was perfect as a young Augusten. He appeared bright and wise for his age, and at the same time insecure and afraid. His ability to portray genuine emotion in the midst of such insanity was superb. He seemed at times as though he too was just an observer, as though he could not believe this was actually his life. We have not seen the last of Joseph Cross.

I predict Oscar nominations for Bening and Cross, as well as Best Picture, Best Director.