I'm not an indie fan by any means. I find them almost creepy and usually not my type of movie whatsoever but Prozac Nation sounded interesting enough and it was definitely captivating enough to enjoy. Erik Skjoldbjærg whose only previous work I've seen was his screenplay Insomnia certainly captures the rather unbalanced emotions of a drug addicted, emotionally distraught young girl who could have a very bright future ahead of her. Although I have never read the book written by the lead character Elizabeth Wurtzel you can certainly feel the very real story behind it all. It's just got that feeling to it that could only be non-fiction and everything surrounding the film adaptation hangs onto that reality.
Lead actress Christina Ricci who plays Wurtzel plays a very powerful role. Although she is seasoned at playing the messed up, distraught and disturbed looking young woman she really gives this performance her all. She even outshines Jessica Lange who also does a great job as the overbearing equally emotionally distraught mother. Her character definitely could have used more coverage in the film and was only touched on but then she wasn't the focus and what they did give her she did great at. Ricci is disturbingly accurate in her performance as the drug addicted, socially inept, Wurtzel. Michelle Williams also does a decent job as her on again, off again college best friend. Jason Biggs really impresses as Wurtzel's much more down to earth boyfriend who wants to love her but is driven away by her over bearing, and rather psychotic approach to relationships driven by her torn relationship with her father. The film shows a very real side to what some people get mixed up in, and also show the very real side to an unhealthy relationship ruined by the only role models this girl has ever known.
It's a very real and interesting social study on the effects of a broken home, a mother who relies on her daughter as more of a support system than to be a parent to and her first real taste of freedom that drives her into a world of sex and drugs. We see her at the very bottom and her desperate attempt to climb out of it. I am quite surprised to see that the real Elizabeth Wurtzel did not approve of the film because it's certainly very powerful and for whatever reason it was shelved for such a long time it's sure to be a critical success. It's worth seeing even if you're not a fan of the indie film, it's still captivating and worth watching. Some very powerful performances for sure. Check out Jason Biggs for sure in a role not common to him, he does a great job and shows some real dramatic acting chops. 7/10
Lead actress Christina Ricci who plays Wurtzel plays a very powerful role. Although she is seasoned at playing the messed up, distraught and disturbed looking young woman she really gives this performance her all. She even outshines Jessica Lange who also does a great job as the overbearing equally emotionally distraught mother. Her character definitely could have used more coverage in the film and was only touched on but then she wasn't the focus and what they did give her she did great at. Ricci is disturbingly accurate in her performance as the drug addicted, socially inept, Wurtzel. Michelle Williams also does a decent job as her on again, off again college best friend. Jason Biggs really impresses as Wurtzel's much more down to earth boyfriend who wants to love her but is driven away by her over bearing, and rather psychotic approach to relationships driven by her torn relationship with her father. The film shows a very real side to what some people get mixed up in, and also show the very real side to an unhealthy relationship ruined by the only role models this girl has ever known.
It's a very real and interesting social study on the effects of a broken home, a mother who relies on her daughter as more of a support system than to be a parent to and her first real taste of freedom that drives her into a world of sex and drugs. We see her at the very bottom and her desperate attempt to climb out of it. I am quite surprised to see that the real Elizabeth Wurtzel did not approve of the film because it's certainly very powerful and for whatever reason it was shelved for such a long time it's sure to be a critical success. It's worth seeing even if you're not a fan of the indie film, it's still captivating and worth watching. Some very powerful performances for sure. Check out Jason Biggs for sure in a role not common to him, he does a great job and shows some real dramatic acting chops. 7/10