TRUE STORY

US, 2015, 99 minutes, Colour.
James Franco, Jonah Hill, Felicity Jones, Ethan Suplee.
Directed by Rupert Goold.

True Story is the title of the documentary book written by American journalist, Michael Finkel. The book is a true crime story.

Finkel was a significant journalist for the New York Times, doing stories for their magazine, travelling abroad and, at the beginning of this film, interviewing men in Africa for a story about oppression and violence. Whatever the reason, he falsified some of the information in his story which was widely circulated, having to give an account of himself to his bosses at the Times and being fired. Returning to his home in Montana, he was faced with questions about what he was to do with his life and career.

Then he was contacted by a prison inmate, Christian Longo, who told Finkel that he admired his work. He went to see Longo and began a series of conversations which led to the book.

This film, a first-time film from UK stage director Rupert Goold, opens with the New York Times but also with the aftermath of Longo’s killings, his wife and three children, with his going to Mexico, where, on being asked who he was, identified himself with and as Finkel.

One of the significant things about the film and its impact is that the two central leads have appeared in many comedies, sometimes together, the versatile James Franco, writer-director-actor, and comedian, Jonah Hill. Very little comedy with them here, Hill being very serious and honest as Finkel, Franco creating a character with touches of sympathy but also eliciting great antipathy from the audience.

The effect on Finkel is that he becomes interested, looks at Franco’s manuscript and drawings, pursues the interviews, writes the book, sometimes uncertain as to Longo’s guilt. Finkel is not always expressive and this is seen in his relationship with his wife, Felicity Jones. Later in the film, Finkel’s wife answers the phone call to Longo who exudes charm with her, complementing her. But then she goes to the prison, confronts Longo and, in one of the best scenes in the film, lambasts him as narcissistic.

The film takes us into the court proceedings, sees Longo pleading guilty to some charges and not guilty to others, many considering this a ploy for, at least, an appeal, but Longo suggesting the only other possible alternative, that his wife killed two of the children and he reacted to her violence.

Franco creates an intriguing character, probably bringing to life the narcissism of which he was accused, having lessons in how to write from Finkel – the final irony that Finkel never published again in the New York Times but that they accepted articles from prison from Longo.

Not an action packed thriller, but a serious look at true crime and the two central characters confronting one another in truth and lies.

1. Title? True crime? Michael Finkel, is experience of Christian Longo? His book?

2. The world of the journalist, International, Africa, the interviews there, photos? The New York office? The world of Michael Finkel? Montana, the winter, the home? Oregon, the town, homes, the bay, the bridge, courtrooms, prison? The musical score?

3. Introduction to Michael, Jonah Hill’s presence and performance? In Africa, the interview, the translator, the situation, the photos? His story, later admitting his fabrication of the story, five individuals put into one character? His search for his motivation? The success and publication? The bosses at the New York Times, the interviews, his being fired? His never appearing in the New York Times again – but Christian Longo supplying articles, irony?

4. Christian Longo, his story, the deaths of his wife and children, escaping to Mexico, taking Michael’s identity, cruising, the German backpacker, the candles in the Cathedral, the sexual encounter? His arrest? Prison? Awaiting trial?

5. His contacting Michael, praising his writing, Michael visiting, the discussions in detail, over the months, the deals about secrecy, publication? Christian wanting to learn how to write, Michael teaching him, the exercises and sentences about a topic, for example love, lies? Longo and his flattering Michael? The effect on Michael? Sending the manuscript with the story, the many pages, the dark drawings, Michael putting them on the wall? Issues of truth, believing Longo or not? Guilty or not?

6. The plea, his pleading guilty to 2 cases? Not guilty to the others? Michael and the encounter with the police officer, his asking for information, Michael refusing? The officer thinking that the plea was a ploy? The only alternative possibilities for the wife to have done the murders?

7. The character of Jill, the quality of her relationship with Michael, married life, her work, libraries and music? Awkwardness at home? Her support, puzzle? Looking at the documents on the wall? Holding the manuscript of the book and Michael’s reaction? Answering the phone to Longo, his charm, asking her to give a message to Michael?

8. The significance of her visit, his welcoming her, charm? The questions about his relationship with Michael? Her strong outburst against him, condemnation for hypocrisy, condemning him as completely narcissistic? Her going to the court with Michael?

9. The court sequences, Christian dressing, the plea, the interrogation of the witnesses, their giving evidence against him?

10. The flashbacks to the murders, his wife, her relationship with him, the children, playing? And the scenes of the killings?

11. Christian Longo and his life, a loser, changing jobs, stealing, his motivations, taking the children to Seussland, upset at their having no toys? His theorising about finding his wife killing their daughter, his anger and killing her? Her throwing the children from the bridge? The witnesses and the aftermath to the killings, his coming to work, expressing no feelings? Going to Mexico?

12. The judge, the members of the jury, the lawyers and the prosecution, defence? The delivery of the verdict? Going to do through? The harsh comments by the judge?

13. Longo back in prison, Michael disillusioned, talking with the lawyer and expressing his disgust with the lawyer saying he would have proved an unreliable witness? Christian Longo’s phone call, Michael’s visit, leaving in disgust? The book, its effect, the sales? Longo and his continuing to write?

14. The impact on understanding and emotions for this kind of true crime story?