Prozac Nation (Erik Skjoldbjærg, 2001)

This film is as bland as it can get. I won't go into the merits/demerits of adaptation for two main reasons: first, I have read the book years ago and even though I remember liking it a lot I don't recall much else; secondly because this film is bad not in relation to the book, but as a movie per se.

Christina Ricci, admittedly, is not one of my favourite actresses. There is something about her that really bothers me. I haven't put my finger on it yet but surely it has to do with her impossibly round face and her manifest eagerness with which she pursues cultdom. Nothing personal here, but give me Chloe Sevigny any time.

Nonetheless, the major flaws with this film lie not on Ricci's doorstep but on the director's and scripwriter's. Elisabeth Wurtzel (Christina Ricci) comes across mostly as capricious, in the boring and annoying sense. Her crises add up to little more than tantrums and her rantings about the impossibility of writing are shallow at best. Eons away from any existential struggle.

Overall, there is not enough emphasis on her writing; unexplicably so, as this is the be-all and end-all behind Elisabeth's depression. It is the reason why this girl's odyssey merits exposure. Rolling Stone magazine is mentioned left right and centre but we never get to actually see what the fuss is all about.

The cast is very capable of delivering but unfortunately there is not much to work with. Jessica Lange does her utmost to give her character depth and reason, but ultimately loses the battle. Same goes for Michelle Williams. Pity.

Labels: 2001, dvd, heche, lange, rhys meyers, ricci, skjoldbjærg, williams