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Sometimes, the truth really is stranger than fiction. But as one disgraced reporter discovers in Rupert Goold’s True Story, the truth isn’t always easy to come by—especially when you’re dealing with someone who may or may not be guilty of an unthinkable crime.
This true-crime psychological thriller tells the story of former New York Times reporter Michael Finkel (Jonah Hill) and his twisted relationship with accused killer Christian Longo (James Franco). Mike is working through his own crisis, having recently lost his job for fudging the facts, when he first hears about Longo. After allegedly killing his wife and their three children, Longo fled to Mexico, where he posed as a New York Times reporter named Mike Finkel until his arrest. Intrigued by the case—and by his own strange connection to it—Mike contacts Longo, who offers to tell Mike (and only Mike) his story. But as the disgraced journalist begins working on a book about his troubled new friend, inconsistencies in the story make him question whether he’s being told the whole truth.
True Story tells an intriguing tale of truth and lies—of desperation and manipulation. Each of the main characters is at a turning point in his life. The hard-working family man now finds himself alone and planning his defense, waiting for a jury to decide his fate. And the star reporter now finds himself fallen from glory, stuck in his secluded home in the mountains. His reputation forever tarnished, no one will even consider working with him. Then Longo offers him a second chance—one that comes with a price that he seems all too willing to pay. And their truth, lies, and ambitions eventually bond the two together.
Franco gives a strong performance as the alleged murderer. He makes Longo a mysterious but often charming character—a charismatic guy with a likably cheesy grin. At times, he’s playful and friendly. At other times, he’s tortured and grief-stricken. Yet there are also times when the slightest look will betray something darker, something haunted, behind that big, friendly smile.
Still, though the characters and their stories are interesting, the film never really puts the pieces together in a way that’s truly gripping. Viewers are kept at an arm’s length, never really able to get absorbed in the mystery or the characters’ relationship. The facts are there, as are hints of a bigger story, but the film always seems to be teasing something more—something that never really comes.
For true crime fans, True Story offers a fascinating look inside a truly disturbing case. But it doesn’t go quite deep enough, resulting in a distant and somewhat hazy account.
Blu-ray Review:
Fans of True Story will discover a little more of the story in the film’s special features menu. Extras include four promotional featurettes, which explore the characters and the film itself in a little more depth—even allowing the real Mike Finkel to offer his own perspective. Five deleted scenes (with optional director commentary) feature an alternate ending (which director Rupert Goold admits is “heavy handed”) and much more of Felicity Jones as Mike’s partner, Jill, whose role in the final film is rather perplexing. And Goold’s commentary track offers more insight into both the story and his filmmaking choices.
Unfortunately, the extras aren’t too much more in-depth than the film itself, so you won’t get a whole lot of new true-crime insights from them. But if you enjoy the film, you’ll still want to give the special features a few minutes of your time.
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