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True Story Movie Review

Name: True Story Movie Review
Item: True Story
Rating: 3.5
Author: Smitha Joseph

Written by

Review for the film " True Story"

Streaming On: Netflix

Runtime: 01 Hour 39 Minutes

Certificate: UA

Released: 17-04-2015

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Similar To: First Cow, Wendy, Zombies Vs. Robots, Somewhere Beautiful

Critic Review
User Review

3.5 / 5.0

3.52 / 5.0

CAST & CREW

Brad Pitt

Felicity Jones

Ethan Suplee

James Franco

Jonah Hill

Dede Gardner

Jeremy Kleiner

MORE CAST & CREW

Producer:

Anthony Katagas

Dede Gardner

Jeremy Kleiner

Director:

Rupert Goold

Movie Actor:

Jonah Hill

Betty Gilpin

Genevieve Angelson

Robert John Burke

Steve Routman

Ethan Suplee

Conor Kikot

Michael Countryman

Stella Rae Payne

Charlotte Driscoll

Maria Dizzia

Seth Barrish

James Franco

Byron Jennings

Gretchen Mol

Robert Stanton

Movie Actress:

Felicity Jones

Co-Producer:

Sarah Esberg

Executive Producer:

Brad Pitt

Arnon Milchan

Line Producer:

Alejandra Cardenas

Click Here For Full Cast & Crew

True Story Click to look into! >> Read More... is an American crime thriller film released in 2015 and written and directed by Rupert Goold. This movie is based on Michael Finkel's book of the same title. It stars James Franco James Franco is a prominent American actor and dir >> Read More... as the dreaded murderer Christian Logo, with other famous actors like Jonah Hill Jonah Hill Feldstein works as an Actor, comedian a >> Read More... , who plays Michael Finkel, and Felicity Jones Born and brought up in Bournville, Felicity Jones >> Read More... as Jill Barker. Supporting roles include Betty Gilpin, Gretchen Mol, Robert Stanton, Maria Dizzia, and John Sharian. Marco Beltrami Marco Beltrami is an American film composer. He is >> Read More... was in charge of Music. Credits for cinematography go to Masanobu Takayanagi. This film was set into production by the companies Regency Enterprises and Plan B Entertainment.

Plot

The story revolves around journalist Michael Finkel, who discovers that his identity was assumed by a man on trial for murder, Christian Longo, and sets to meet him. The two make a pact: Finkel must teach Longo writing in exchange for the truth behind the murders Longo has been accused of. But not all is what it seems in this eerie thriller based on a real-life account by Finkel himself. Is Longo genuinely guilty of the crimes he is accused of? Will Finkel unearth the truth behind these gruesome murders? The story goes on to answer these questions.

Star Performances

Jonah Hill and James Franco are usually names one might expect in a comedy; hence, the association with a crime thriller is a bit shocking to audiences. But James plays the role of a suspected murderer remarkably well, weaving a convincing story and making the audience believe what he wants them to until the very end. Jonah Hill added to the equation, playing an unsuspecting journalist desperate for a good story, makes their interactions believable. Felicity Jones plays the role of a wary but supportive wife decently.

Analysis

Rupert Goold has deviated from his usual theatrical and fictitious genre of movies and directed an enigmatic tale of another side to a murderer, Christian Longo. The crime in question is far from big ones like that of Ted Bundy or Jeffrey Dahmer. But what these names have in common is the web of manipulation and lies that they have spun, entangling those naive enough not to probe further. This is skilfully captured by James Franco, and Jonah Hill plays the part of the naive fly who has fallen into his web of deceit, attracted by a story waiting to be uncovered. The concept in question could have made for an exciting thriller. However, the tale drudges on and completely fumbles with the plot points of the real-life account in question. This ends up boring the audience and diluting the initial effect it could have had on crime buffs. The cinematography is undertaken beautifully by Masanobu Takayanagi. Felicity Jones does a pretty good job with the part she is given, and her scene with Franco is riveting when one puts themselves in her character's shoes. Marco Beltrami has provided a fantastic musical score, as expected, considering his record of musical undertakings for thriller and horror films. Betty Gilpin, Gretchen Mol, Robert Stanton, and John Sharian have dutifully played their roles, delightfully contributing to the story.

What's there?

Nuanced thriller undertones and an aura of suspense in the air.
Franco is the story's highlight and captures the air of a suspected killer aptly.
Jonah Hill plays the role of a journalist with an empty slate and a neutral perspective. His core mentality towards the killer is "Innocent until proven guilty."
The cinematography fulfills the expectations of a mystery-thriller.

What's not there?

The plot is confusing at times and seems like a fever dream.
A few minor mistakes that should have been avoided.

Verdict

Although the plot is vague and muddled at times, it certainly is a film worth watching at least once. The film's heart is that not everything a person shows on the surface is what lies underneath. The unusual casting is itself is a reason to watch this film, but they prove their mettle in their respective roles. Crime buffs will undoubtedly enjoy this dark and baffling tale, which answers a lot of questions about the case and yet leaves many of them unanswered at the same time.

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