Girl, Interrupted (1999)

Girl, Interrupted poster

Columbia Pictures Corporation
Starring:
 Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Elisabeth Moss
Directed by: James Mangold

Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains some major spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Based loosely on the real-life story by Susanna Kaysen. Susanna (Winona Ryder), a young woman in the 1960’s, checks herself into a mental hospital for treatment and becomes close with the intriguing but explosive Lisa (Angelina Jolie).

Featured Feline: The opening segment is from the end of the story and we see a burned patient named Polly (Elizabeth Moss) holding a grey short haired cat in a dark area.

Girl, Interrupted - Polly Elizabeth Moss holding Ruby gray cat

The cat slips away from her and walks on a windowsill.

Girl, Interrupted - Ruby gray cat in window

Late in the film Susanna and Lisa have escaped and end up at the home of former patient Daisy (Brittany Murphy). Daisy owns the cat whose name is Ruby. Lisa hisses at Ruby and scares her.

Girl, Interrupted - Ruby gray cat hissing

Girl, Interrupted - Lisa Angelina Jolie hisses at Ruby gray cat animated gif

Susanna bonds with the cat, calling her and petting her. The scene gets ugly when Lisa viciously attacks Daisy verbally. Ruby runs away when the abuse begins.

Girl, Interrupted - Susanna Winona Ryder motioning to Ruby gray cat

The next morning Susanna gets up early and leaves the house. Ruby follows on the porch and stands looking after her.

Girl, Interrupted - Ruby gray cat on porch

Girl, Interrupted - Ruby gray cat on porch animated gif

When Susanna returns she finds Daisy is not yet up. Ruby is sitting at the top of the stairs.

Girl, Interrupted - Ruby gray cat at top of stairs looking down at Susanna Winona Ryder

Going upstairs to investigate, Susanna finds Daisy’s room empty and Ruby pawing outside the bathroom door.

Girl, Interrupted - Ruby gray cat outside bathroom door

Unfortunately Susanna finds that Daisy has killed herself. She crumbles with Ruby beside her as Lisa unemtionally leaves.

Girl, Interrupted - Ruby gray cat with Susanna Winona Ryder outside bathroom

As the coroner takes away the body, Susanna sits on the porch holding Ruby.

Girl, Interrupted - Susanna Winona Ryder holding Ruby gray cat on porch

Dr. Potts (Jeffrey Tambor) arrives on the scene and takes Susanne back to the institution, but he allows her to bring Ruby with her.

Girl, Interrupted - Ruby gray cat on lap in car

Girl, Interrupted - Susanna Winona Ryder carrying Ruby gray cat into institution

Girl, Interrupted - Susanna Winona Ryder with Ruby gray cat on bed

The girls of the ward are all intrigued by Ruby, but most especially Polly who has a love for animals. Susanna says she can play with the kitty.

Girl, Interrupted - Polly Elizabeth Moss holding Ruby gray cat with other girls around

Ruby is only seen occasionally in Susanna’s room and one night Susanna notices she is missing.

Girl, Interrupted - Ruby gray cat sitting on suitcase

In searching for Ruby she finds Lisa, Georgina (Clea DuVall) and Polly holding Ruby in the underground tunnels where they used to sneak away.

Girl, Interrupted - Susanna Winona Ryder with Polly Elizabeth Moss holding Ruby gray cat

Girl, Interrupted - Susanna Winona Ryder with Polly Elizabeth Moss holding Ruby gray cat closer

There is a major confrontation between Lisa and Susanna. Polly is seen holding Ruby in the background during this scene, which ends up where the movie began.

Girl, Interrupted - Susanna Winona Ryder Lisa Angelina Jolie Georgina Clea DuVall and Polly Elizabeth Moss holding Ruby gray cat

Girl, Interrupted - Georgina Clea DuVall and Polly Elizabeth Moss holding Ruby gray cat

Girl, Interrupted - Polly Elizabeth Moss holding Ruby gray cat behind pipes

In the end Susanna is discharged and she asks Polly if she would care for Ruby. Polly happily agrees.

Girl, Interrupted - Polly Elizabeth Moss holding Ruby gray cat

Girl, Interrupted - Polly Elizabeth Moss smiling and holding Ruby gray cat

Director James Mangold explained on the DVD’s commentary track that the cat was not in the original book but that he wanted Susanna to be able to bring back something physical from Daisy’s house to keep her memory alive in the minds of the audience after her death. He also commented that the cat actor was very good.

Girl, Interrupted - Susanna Winona Ryder holding Ruby gray cat on porch closer

The animals trainers on the film were Ursula Brauner and Michelle Iwamoto working for Boone’s Animals for Hollywood.

Girl, Interrupted - Ruby gray cat on porch looking through slats

Final Mewsings: Cats can bring comfort in the worst of situations.

Many thanks to T.j. Dotson for recommending this movie to us!


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