Running with Scissors Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A boy’s mom gives him to her wacky psychiatrist, and then everyone eats dog food and has questionable relationships, making it the 70s at its weirdest.

🍿 Running with Scissors: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Burroughs Family in Turmoil

The film opens with Augusten Burroughs, a young boy growing up in the 1970s with his eccentric mother, Deirdre, an aspiring poet, and his alcoholic father, Norman. Deirdre and Norman’s marriage is increasingly volatile, marked by shouting matches and emotional instability. Augusten finds himself caught in the middle, often acting as a confidant to his dramatic and self-absorbed mother.

Life with Dr. Finch

As their marriage crumbles, Deirdre begins seeing Dr. Finch, a psychiatrist who is as unconventional as she is. Eventually, Deirdre decides that Augusten should live with Dr. Finch and his equally eccentric family. This transition marks a significant shift in Augusten’s life as he navigates the Finches’ bizarre household and their unconventional therapies.

Navigating Eccentricity

Augusten’s new life is filled with strange encounters, including the Finch family’s unique approach to life, their unorthodox living conditions, and his own exploration of his sexuality with Neil Bookman, one of Dr. Finch’s older patients. He also forms a close bond with Natalie Finch, Dr. Finch’s rebellious daughter, as they both cope with the chaos around them.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Augusten Burroughs (Joseph Cross): A young gay boy navigating a turbulent family life and eccentric surroundings while coming of age in the 1970s.
• Deirdre Burroughs (Annette Bening): Augusten’s neurotic and pretentious mother, an aspiring poet struggling with mental illness and a failing marriage.
• Dr. Finch (Brian Cox): The eccentric and vulgar psychiatrist who becomes Augusten’s guardian and offers unorthodox therapy.
• Neil Bookman (Joseph Fiennes): A 35-year-old patient and adopted son of Dr. Finch, who engages in a relationship with young Augusten.
• Natalie Finch (Evan Rachel Wood): Dr. Finch’s rebellious younger daughter who forms a close friendship with Augusten.
• Norman Burroughs (Alec Baldwin): Augusten’s alcoholic father, whose relationship with his wife deteriorates, leading to divorce and estrangement from his son.
• Agnes Finch (Jill Clayburgh): Dr. Finch’s quietly nervous wife who shows Augusten maternal love and gives him the means to escape.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dr. Finch: “You can’t come in here, this is my mastabatorium!” – Dr. Finch jokingly prohibits Augusten from entering his private space.
• Deirdre Burroughs: “I’m not crazy. I’m creatively overwhelmed.” – Deirdre defends her erratic behavior, showcasing her self-delusion and artistic pretensions.
• Augusten Burroughs: “I learned that what you don’t know can’t hurt you, unless you find it particularly upsetting that what you don’t know could hurt you.” – A reflection on the complexities of ignorance and awareness within his chaotic upbringing, summarizing his coping mechanism.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $7,022,827
• Worldwide Gross: $7,460,797

💥 Running with Scissors Reviews

Personal Review

I found ‘Running with Scissors’ to be a strange and unsettling experience, the film takes you on a journey through the absurdities of a dysfunctional family, mixing dark humor with moments of genuine emotional depth. The performances were a highlight. Annette Bening’s portrayal of Deirdre Burroughs was both captivating and disturbing, capturing the complexity of a woman struggling with mental illness. I was particularly moved by the quieter scenes between Augusten and Natalie, which highlighted the importance of connection amidst chaos. Overall, ‘Running with Scissors’ is a film that stays with you long after the credits roll, offering a unique and thought-provoking perspective on family, identity, and resilience.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about dysfunctional families”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven narratives”
  • “People fascinated by memoirs and true stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Depictions of mental illness”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• Sam Osborn: “Murphy approaches the material very cinematically, using every magic trick offered to him by his technicians. This is no shaky, documentary-style memoir that shreds cinema to the tatters of the broken characters on screen. Murphy’s characters are heightened to hyperbolic altitude, but are anchored to a reality only gotten from the pages of non-fiction accounting. It makes for a film constructed from quirk and color, but Murphy’s characters can’t seem to escape from being so human.
• N/A: “The performances are what pull us through a rough ride and uncomfortable and annoying anecdote. Joseph Cross plays the young ‘Augusten’ and does so well. Brian Cox was the ‘cartoon’ of the film and I’m not sure who to blame that on.

Audience Reactions

Annette Bening’s performance as the eccentric mother was mesmerizing and often hilarious.: The film’s honest depiction of mental health and dysfunctional family dynamics resonated with many viewers.

Viewers appreciated the film’s soundtrack, which effectively captured the atmosphere of the 1970s.: While the film’s dark humor might not appeal to everyone, those who connected with it found it to be a cathartic and memorable experience.

Overall Consensus: A dark, quirky, and often unsettling film that explores themes of family dysfunction and mental health, with strong performances from the cast but may not appeal to all viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on Augusten Burroughs’ memoir of the same name, which was controversial due to its sometimes exaggerated or fictionalized accounts of his childhood.”
• “Director Ryan Murphy is known for his work in television, including ‘Nip/Tuck’ and ‘Glee,’ which often explore unconventional family dynamics and dark humor.”
• “Many of the actors were drawn to the project because of the challenging and complex characters, as well as the opportunity to work with a talented ensemble cast.”

🖥️ How to Watch Running with Scissors?

Running with Scissors is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable and satellite options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Running with Scissors, you might like these similar films:

• The Royal Tenenbaums (2001): Features a dysfunctional family with eccentric characters and a dark sense of humor.
• American Beauty (1999): Explores themes of suburban disillusionment and unconventional family dynamics.
• Igby Goes Down (2002): A dark comedy about a young man’s rebellious journey through a dysfunctional family and societal expectations.
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006): Showcases a quirky family road trip and their unique way of dealing with personal struggles.

🛒 Running with Scissors Related Products

• Running with Scissors: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs: The original memoir that inspired the movie. Experience the story from Augusten’s perspective and delve deeper into his unique childhood.
• 70s Retro Fashion Costume Set: Get the look of the 1970s with a retro fashion set, just like Augusten. Includes plaid vests and corduroy.
• Running with Scissors (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Download or stream the soundtrack featuring Bossa Whistle and other memorable tracks from the movie. Experience the music that defines the film’s atmosphere.
• Therapy Session Card Game: A Quirky Twist on Mental Health: Experience therapy sessions in a fun, approachable way. This game is designed to spark conversations about mental health. The game is not rated or licensed and should not be considered an actual medical device.

🎧 Soundtrack

Running with Scissors features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Bossa Whistle” – performed by Alessandro Alessandroni and Giuliano Sorgini
• “Blinded by the Light” – performed by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Entire History of Postal

Ever wondered about the crazy story behind the Postal movie and game? This video dives deep into the history of Running With Scissors, the company behind it all. It’s wild ride!

✨ Rate