True Story: A Misfire of Genre and Intent

Directed by: Rupert Goold  

Starring: Jonah Hill, James Franco, Felicity Jones

**Rating:** ★★☆☆☆

True Story, based on the non-fiction account by journalist Michael Finkel, is a perplexing film that never quite decides what it wants to be. Directed by first-time feature filmmaker Rupert Goold, it stars Jonah Hill as Finkel and James Franco as accused murderer Christian Longo. The movie tries to juggle multiple genres—murder mystery, journalism exposé, courtroom drama, and metaphysical inquiry—but ends up being an unpleasant mix that fails to leave a lasting impression.

Plot Overview

The story kicks off with a chilling overhead shot of a child lying in a suitcase, setting the tone for the film's grim subject matter. Christian Longo (Franco) is soon arrested for the murder of his wife and three children. Meanwhile, Michael Finkel (Hill) is a disgraced journalist, fired from The New York Times for fabricating details in his stories. Retreating to Montana, Finkel is contacted by Longo, who had been using Finkel's identity while on the run in Mexico. Intrigued by the bizarre connection, Finkel agrees to meet Longo, who offers him an exclusive story in exchange for writing lessons and secrecy until after his trial.

Performances

Jonah Hill and James Franco step out of their comedic comfort zones to deliver serious performances. Hill portrays Finkel as a desperate journalist clinging to a chance at redemption, while Franco's Longo is eerily calm and manipulative. Felicity Jones, playing Finkel's wife Jill, offers a grounding presence but is underutilized.

Direction and Cinematography

Rupert Goold, known for his acclaimed stage work, struggles to find his footing in the cinematic landscape. The film moves at a brisk pace but often feels disjointed and unsure of itself. The cinematography captures the cold, wintry setting effectively, adding a layer of bleakness to the narrative. However, the film's visual style cannot compensate for its lack of cohesive storytelling.

Thematic Elements

True Story attempts to explore themes of identity, truth, and moral ambiguity but does so in a heavy-handed manner. The screenplay, co-written by Goold and David Kajganich, tries to plant verbal clues and thematic parallels between Finkel and Longo, but these elements never quite pay off. The film hints at a deeper exploration of human duality and darkness, but these themes are inadequately developed and ultimately fall flat.

Narrative Execution

One of the film's biggest flaws is its inability to convincingly portray the complexity of its characters and their motivations. Finkel's eager acceptance of Longo's dubious offer makes him seem opportunistic and naïve. The screenplay fails to build any real suspense or doubt about Longo's guilt, making the courtroom scenes and investigative elements feel redundant. By the time Longo takes the stand with an absurdly implausible story, any remaining tension dissipates.

Conclusion

True Story is a film with an identity crisis, trying to be many things at once but succeeding at none. The performances by Hill and Franco are commendable, but they are let down by a muddled script and uncertain direction. The movie's attempt to blend different genres results in a confusing and unsatisfying experience. While it offers some intriguing moments, **True Story** ultimately fails to deliver a compelling narrative or insightful commentary.

For viewers seeking a gripping true crime story or a deep exploration of journalistic ethics, this film is likely to disappoint. True Story is an ambitious but flawed effort that misses the mark, leaving audiences with little more than a sense of wasted potential.