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:

NSFTh

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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

In the last scene after Augusten has said goodbye to his mother, the suitcase he had is no longer with him while he waits for his departing bus.

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Quotes

Deirdre Burroughs: I'm available.
Norman Burroughs: Five hours a day! What, I can't do that. I have to work.

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Connections

Featured in The 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2007)

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Soundtracks

Poetry Man
(1989)
Written and Performed by Phoebe Snow
Courtesy of Shelter Records
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music

User Reviews

I laughed and I cried.

Usually when I read the book before the movie, the movie can't live up to book. This time, the book was great and the movie more than lived up to it. It's strange that we can laugh at others' misfortunes but these situations are so absurd that they are hysterical. Each actor truly inhabited their parts. Annette Benning should be nominated for an Oscar. Brian Cox, Joseph Cross, and a great Jill Clayburgh really were amazing.

Needless to say, I highly recommend this movie. It's even more amazing when you realize it's based on what really happened to Augusten Burroughs. And stay through the credits.