True Story — Blue Fairy Film Blog

Like the name implies this is the true story of journalist Mike Finkel's relationship with convicted killer Christian Longo. Brought together by their tendencies to lie, or inflate their egos, the journalist and the convict become friends and eerily enough, learn from each other. Based on the book of the same name, this story is brought to the screen and then aptly butchered by a floundering plot, aimless direction, and slow paced action.

Both Hill and Franco have Oscar nominations to their names, and though they are predominately known for their comedic roles, it makes sense to put them in a film where they explore serious topics. Still, if you're going to put two people with their backgrounds in a dramatic film, it better be a good film. Often it feels like Franco is putting us on, trying to play a child killer while hiding an insidious smirk behind the blank expression he wears for much of the film. Hill does his best, but the role isn't as meaty as past supporting performances in "The Wolf of Wall Street" or even "Moneyball." He's more subdued and anal, and it's not a look that Hill can pull off. Though each is trying to embody their characters, it doesn't feel authentic at the end of the day.

The link between Finkel and Longo is well established. There are many similar things about the two, including how they journal, they want to be taken seriously as writers, and they often twist of the truth to suit their narrative. At the end of the film it's still unclear whether Finkel, seeing these imperfect similarities, is horrified or unmoved. The ending shows Longo as the calculated, willful killer who has tricked Finkel, while also charming others into believing in his plight. Was Finkel seriously shocked about learning his prison pen pal was deranged, or was he more interested in seeing how they diverged in the wood? Either way it's a muddled, uncertain film that doesn't know what it wants to say or how to say it.