Cert 15
88 mins
BBFC advice: Contains very strong language, strong sex, sex references
A couple of days ago, I read a tweet from Welcome To Me's director, Shira Piven, in which she admitted she had seen reviews from British critics who "didn't get" her film.
Mrs W definitely falls into that category. Its offbeat humour didn't appeal to her on any level.
I understood her reaction but was not so adamant in my criticism, largely because I was in awe of the performance of Kristen Wiig.
She plays Alice Klieg, a woman who has such an extreme form of bipolar disorder that she cannot hold down a job, struggles to relate to people and instead becomes addicted to the TV shows of the likes of Oprah Winfrey.
Thus, when she wins the state lottery, she goes into a failing TV station and demands to pay for her own show.
That's right, two hours of sheer self-indulgence, devoted to her own personal obsessions.
The station's boss (James Marsden) is happy to exploit her wealth despite the misgivings of his brother (Wes Bentley) and senior staff (Joan Cusack and Jennifer Jason Leigh).
So, the show airs, Alice enters on a swan boat, and proceeds to create car-crash TV.
Wiig is brilliant as the totally self-consumed Alice who cannot see anything wrong in her extravagances.
Sadly, she is also oblivious to the mental hurt she inflicts upon those around her, including her ultra-loyal best friend (Linda Cardellini) and even her doctor (Tim Robbins).
My problem with Welcome To Me is that I am not clear what it is trying to say.
I know people who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and when their behaviour is most extreme it really isn't funny. Their depression can be very dark.
So, I was feeling rather guilty when I twice laughed out loud during Welcome To Me.
I would be interested to know what those with mental health issues have made of it. Are they offended or do they welcome to debate it stirs?
For sure, this is not a movie I will forget in a hurry because it is so different to any other but it is not comfortable viewing.
Reasons to watch: Kristen Wiig's compelling performance
Reasons to avoid: its surrealism will be too much for many
Laughs: two
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: yes
Overall rating: 5/10
Star tweet
I just like the quote they choose at the end: Kristen Wiig Is Off Her Meds in the Week’s Best Trailers