Lizzie [DVD]

Great dvd

Found this film a little lack lustre I know the subject matter but even so.

I thought that “Lizzie” was an incredible film, absolutely brilliant. Whilst the film must make an assumption about events as nobody actually knows what happened, the film does present what happened in a very plausible, believable and honest way. If one reads about the real case, then it can be seen for example that the manner in which the crime took place, who was there and what they were wearing, makes sense in the film.I think that director Craig William Macneill has made an amazing film (it is only his second feature as director) and the cast are incredible. Chloë Sevigny as Lizzie Borden and Jamey Sheridan as Lizzie's father do a brilliant job or portraying a very uneasy Father Daughter relationship, the rest of the household family – Lizzie's sister Emma played by Kim Dickens and Lizzie's Step-mother Abby Borden played by Fiona Shaw, the actresses give fantastic supporting roles. The real star of the film though for me is Kristen Stewart as housemaid Bridget Sullivan.It just so happened that a couple of days before watching “Lizzie”, I'd seen Kristen Stewart in Kelly Reichardt's “Certain Women” which I was watching for the second time. Stewart is clearly (for me) a great actress, and that the two characters (Elizabeth Travis in “Certain Women” and Bridget Sullivan in “Lizzie”) were given by the same actress shows just how good an actress she is.The narrative gives the majority of the story in “Lizzie” in flashback, and it works very well in helping to explain the events that take place. The pace of the film is necessarily slow and works well in maintaing tension. The film is dark and in more ways than one – the household is illuminated mostly by candlelight and oil lamp, and again this seems to help with the atmosphere of the film, something that, from the opening scene – the music also does.Although there is no “based-on-real-events” kind of statement given at the beginning of the film but there is some factual information given at the end.On the DVD (ASIN: B07M5HGBKB) you get:“Lizzie” (1 hour 41 minutes)Scene SelectionSet Up: 2.0 Stereo, 5.1 Surround SoundI found some of the dialogue rather quiet at times, which is the only negative thing I can find to say about “Lizzie”. I think that subtitles might have helped me in that respect, so it is perhaps worth mentioning that although it states on the Amazon Product Description that there are English Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired, that I could find no Subtitles of any sort on the DVD.

Very good acting with good actors I guess because it was such a repressive film one begs the question why did lizzie do it as its not made clear. The maid leaving why??......surely she was an accomplice??.....all abit foggy as it was that time where emotions were not on show and feelings were not expressed so did the maid love Lizzie or what??.....another confusing film.

The Lizzie Borden case is one which has intrigued real crime enthusiasts for over a century. A well to do family in Falls River, respected businessman Andrew Borden and his second wife, Lizzie’s stepmother, were brutally slain with an axe, within their own home. The murders were committed within an hour and a half of each other and the only people in the home were Lizzie and the maid. But why were they so brutally slaughtered and who had the opportunity to carry out the attack.Various scenarios have been put forward; most improbable or implausible. Lizzie was charged with the murders but declined to give evidence at the trial and was found not guilty by reason that the jury didn’t believe a decent young woman capable of such a violent act. There was little evidence to convict. This film explores a possible explanation with conviction. There was clearly more going on beneath the cloak of genteel respectability within the Borden household. Other sources have alluded to relationships and sibling rivalry also greed. The likelihood is well never know the truth, but this film is as good as many at offering a solution. I thought it captured the undercurrent of sexual and financial tensions and jealousies very well. It’s realistic enough without glorification. I enjoyed it and I’m surprised it hasn’t been more favourably received. No extras on the dvd, which is disappointing.

Great value for money for a brand new unused DVD.

Chloe Sevigny and Kirsten Stewart are well cast as Lizzie Borden and maid Bridget Sullivan. However, this movie could have been so much better.There is clearly a tension shown in the Borden household as we see the events leading up to the 4th of August 1892 in Fall River, the day of the double murder.Lizzie and Bridget are drawn closer by events happening in the house until they kiss and have a passionate encounter in a barn, witnessed by Andrew Borden. Aside from this, there is little actual passion between the women, which I believe should have been explored in a better way.The actual killing is the best part of the film. Few words are said, but is instead a very visual scene. If the other parts of the movie had been as good, it would be highly rated.The film is very talkative, with quiet sentences spoken. Despite this, there are no subtitles, which made it very difficult to hear. I missed several sentences as a result.I dropped a star in my rating for this reason.

A bit slow and not enough exposition of some characters.