Running with Scissors

Running with Scissors (Annette Bening, Brian Cox, Joseph Cross; Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Jill Clayburgh, Alec Baldwin, Evan Rachel Wood) – I didn’t like this movie just like I didn’t like The Royal Tenenbaums (Paltrow and Baldwin were in that, too), which this movie reminds me of. But the performances are exceptional except for Gwyneth Paltrow, who makes a long-awaited return here after having and raising a baby.  Yes, she was better in Proof, so this was disappointing.  But the movie is really a mishmash of odd, dysfunctional people, all of whom should just give up and start their lives over.   Annette Bening plays the delusional, schizophrenic, maniacal writer and mother of her teenage son, played very well by Joseph Cross.  Somehow, the son, who ensures the crazy mom and the absent father (Alec Baldwin), knows he’s gay way before any sexual inkling.  He’s the most normal character.  But he joins the oddest adopted family ever as Bening’s psychiatrist (played by the magnificent Brian Cox) becomes the son’s legal guardian to go along with other psychologically deficient kids.  Cox’s wife is played by Jill Clayburgh, who may have lost her sexy self years ago (she’s 62 now), but allows herself to look like an old, dirty mess.  Her performance is almost electrifying.  In summary, the actors are great; the story, while true, is bizarre; and the movie is pretty awful.  This won’t find a wide audience and will get uneven reviews, but it’s worth your time if you like good acting even without a compelling story.