For anyone suffering from depression, Elizabeth Wurtzel's 1994 memoir was a boon. This film reflects on her time at Harvard, and the battle that ensued as she took on her demons. Starring Christina Ricci in the titular role, Lizzie has to take on her past demons now that she's away from home. Her mother (Lange) and father (Campbell) went through an irrefutably volatile divorce that still has a negative impact on Lizzie. She has battled through all this before, but now that she's in Harvard, devoid of a lot of human contact or the comforts of home, she unravels. Unable to break from her writing, addicted to drugs and alcohol, vehement, even to her supporters, and co-dependent of her first love, Rafe, Lizzie is lost in a sea of darkness. The film doesn't speak of someone's inability to cope, and isn't driving towards the point of being an indie feature. Most of the film features a build-up of tension between Lizzie and her mother, and the problems Lizzie faces in recovery. Lizzie is also a very emotional and bitter young woman, who thrashes out at anyone she could call a friend, and while this isn't a clear indication of what a depressed person looks like, it does make the character interesting. Her recovery after her prognosis and the steps she takes make for a great watch; for any young adult or teenager who is currently having their own trials and tribulations. Still, there's something so over the top about this film that it remains uncontrollably uncomfortable for the audience. Ricci is probably the worst indicator of this, because her acting is so hammy at times. She screams at the top of her lungs, and always cries. There's never any introspection, no darkness or true sadness, just an inability to understand what is happening to her. That and the performance seems comedic after a few too many wails. Lange gives yet another great performance as a mother stuck between caring for her daughter and living her own life, and Biggs is interesting for once, if a little stilted.