As Jason Nunes suggested I watch it, I would have anyway. But I just had to watch “Running with Scissors” because, as timing would have it, just two days before receiving Nunes’ recommendation I had read “The Memory Addict” by Sam Anderson, a fascinating article published in New York Magazine. (May 5, 2008.) In the piece, Anderson explores the complex intersection of memory and the memoir, focusing in on Augusten Burroughs, author of the bestselling memoir, “Running with Scissors.”
For two reasons, I suggest you watch “Running with Scissors,” the 11-minute documentary by Ricky John Molloy, Thomas Tolstrup and Nancy J. Hawsyou. As Nunes told me, “It’s really beautifully shot, in a style that I think is very influenced by photography, not film making.” In other words, good inspiration for us (mostly) still photographers.
More compelling — and the reason you need to make it to the seven-minute mark — while “Running with Scissors” starts out featuring simple, straightforward storytelling about a sweet, easy-to-digest topic, it takes a well-crafted turn that involves more complex, less obvious storytelling about more profound issues.
With a light and intelligent hand, Molloy, Tolstrup and Hawsyou shift from straight reporting and welcome us to contemplate the relationship between our life experiences (or memories, our personal memoirs) and how these influence how we live our lives in the present. As such, “Running with Scissors” serves as a nice counterpoint to Anderson’s “The Memory Addict.” (An amazing read, Anderson’s article questions whether Burroughs has the uncanny memory he is famous for, or whether he is full of shit, or whether both are true, or neither, and whether it really matters.)
How I Saw “Running With Scissors”
Disclaimer: My viewing experience is less important than yours, and “Running with Scissors” takes advantage of unexpected (but not underhanded) turns of plot. So read the following only if, A) You won’t be watching the film or, B) You already have.
I was encouraged and sucked into the documentary when Continue reading “Walking Into a Sharply Intelligent Documentary”
