True Story directed by Rupert Goold

In the independent film True Story starring Jonah Hill, James Franco, and Felicity Jones and directed by Rupert Goold, the drama filled thriller was interesting, mysterious, and kept me guessing until the end.  A man is arrested for killing his three children and wife and steals the identity of a journalist Mike Finkel.  Mike, Jonah Hill, is dealing with issues of his own, but when he hears of this unknown killer taking his identity, he is curious to find out why.  In search of the real truth of the accused murderer Christian Longo, James Franco, he is caught in between fact and fiction. 

I was pleased with this movie.  The idea of a sociopath manipulating the mind of a vulnerable writer was a different movie that I had not seen in this way before. I found myself wrestling whether to believe Christian Longo’s story alongside Mike Finkel.  The movie did not provide the action or plot twists as much as I thought necessary to give it my highest esteem in the genre but I was thoroughly enjoyed none the less, maybe due to the new way in which I saw James Franco’s acting ability.  Playing a psychotic man is no easy feat, but James Franco was able to deliver a chilling performance while still finding some way to make the audience feel sympathy for his situation or question the fact if he killed his family completely.  Jonah Hill was easily casted as the intelligent yet gullible writer who falls prey to a murderers words.  True Story may not be on the intellectual level that Inception brought to the screen, but it is a version of that sort that is easier to grasp and follow which is a nice change of be pace.  To actually sit down and be able to take a handful of popcorn without feeling like it might distract you from getting the movie in the end is nice, rather than being afraid to peel your eyes away from the movie like I often found myself in the film Inception but still managed to end up lost at the end my first time around watching it.  I would recommend this movie for family night (with your older children), a date night, or if you are looking for a good movie to watch.  It is a quick movie that allows for you keep up without being out of breath at the end.