Sundance 2015: Films We Have Seen3 of 10
True Story
"Sometimes the truth isn't believable. But that doesn't mean that it's not true." - Christian Longo
This quote from the film stayed with me for hours after the film and to me sums up this story. The debut film of Rupert Goold, the film is based on the ex-New York Times writer Michael Finkel's memoir on his encounter with convicted murderer Christian Longo. James Franco gives an incredible performance as Longo, a charismatic sociopath who fled to Mexico after killing his wife and three children. When he's apprehended he tells the police he is "Michael Finkel from the New York Times". Meanwhile, the real Finkel, played by Jonah Hill was just fired from the Times for creating a composite character for a high profile piece on child slaves in Africa. When he hears that Longo is using his name, he visits him and the Longo agrees to give him exclusive rights to his story. Finkel thinks this may be a way to revive his career but it soon becomes clear he has no idea if what Longo is telling him is true. In the film, Finkel's wife Jill (Felicity Jones) asks Finkel if Longo told him the truth. He responded, "He told me what I needed to know." And from that point on I was convinced I couldn't believe a word Finkel said. The cinematography is gorgeous and there are strong performances, but the film left me feeling very disturbed.
"Sometimes the truth isn't believable. But that doesn't mean that it's not true." - Christian Longo
This quote from the film stayed with me for hours after the film and to me sums up this story. The debut film of Rupert Goold, the film is based on the ex-New York Times writer Michael Finkel's memoir on his encounter with convicted murderer Christian Longo. James Franco gives an incredible performance as Longo, a charismatic sociopath who fled to Mexico after killing his wife and three children. When he's apprehended he tells the police he is "Michael Finkel from the New York Times". Meanwhile, the real Finkel, played by Jonah Hill was just fired from the Times for creating a composite character for a high profile piece on child slaves in Africa. When he hears that Longo is using his name, he visits him and the Longo agrees to give him exclusive rights to his story. Finkel thinks this may be a way to revive his career but it soon becomes clear he has no idea if what Longo is telling him is true. In the film, Finkel's wife Jill (Felicity Jones) asks Finkel if Longo told him the truth. He responded, "He told me what I needed to know." And from that point on I was convinced I couldn't believe a word Finkel said. The cinematography is gorgeous and there are strong performances, but the film left me feeling very disturbed.
PeopleJames Franco, Jonah Hill
TitlesTrue Story