Shirley

Neon | Release Date (Streaming): June 5, 2020

6.4	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 41 Ratings

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Brent_MarchantJun 13, 2020

An ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to do something different with the biopic genre as told through an episode in the life of enigmatic horror/mystery author Shirley Jackson. While the picture benefits from strong visuals andAn ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to do something different with the biopic genre as told through an episode in the life of enigmatic horror/mystery author Shirley Jackson. While the picture benefits from strong visuals and excellent performances by Michael Stuhlbarg, Odessa Young and, especially, Elisabeth Moss as the title character, director Josephine Decker raises far too many issues and introduces an excess of story threads that never quite tie together into a coherent, focused whole. That's unfortunate given the story's complex and colorful protagonist and its fine ensemble of supporting players. Judicious editing and a revamped screenplay would have worked wonders for this one. As it stands, however, "Shirley" represents a missed opportunity to tell a story as provocative and engaging as the subject it's profiling.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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JLuis_001Jun 13, 2020

I must start by saying that whoever put the thriller tag on this film should be fired right away.

Then the writers should reconsider how they could create such arrogant and pretentious characters. I hardly want to deal with those kinds ofI must start by saying that whoever put the thriller tag on this film should be fired right away.

Then the writers should reconsider how they could create such arrogant and pretentious characters.
I hardly want to deal with those kinds of people in my daily life, let alone in a film.
But I totally understand characters that behave like that and they definitely shouldn't create problems when watching a film, yet when they don't help the story to progress, it's quite clear that the interest in following them decreases considerably. And when the story is that inert, you have a big, big problem.

The issue is not that the performances are bad because they're not, especially that of Elisabeth Moss, the issue is that the characters are not really attractive.

I also read the film fictionalized a lot of what it portrays, but to be honest I can't say anything about that considering all I knew about Shirley Jackson is The Haunting of Hill House.

Shirley is a film that has ambition and talent but none of them fits in the best way and and while it could've been a much more disappointing film, it's far from what I expected due to the good reviews it received.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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moviemitch96Jun 15, 2020

I really don't have much to say on this one at all. I had no idea this was a biopic prior to watching it, nor did I have any idea who Shirley Jackson was. So maybe that's a big part of why I couldn't connect with this film to save my life,I really don't have much to say on this one at all. I had no idea this was a biopic prior to watching it, nor did I have any idea who Shirley Jackson was. So maybe that's a big part of why I couldn't connect with this film to save my life, but even that aside, the film feels loosely and half-heartedly stitched together through questionable cinematography and editing, lack of any coherent narrative or purpose, and simply seems to just mosey along. Aside from an always brilliant and reliable Elizabeth Moss (as well as a worthwhile turn from Michael Stuhlbarg), the rest of the performances from Logan Lerman and Odessa Young left much to be desired for me. Overall, I simply found the whole ordeal to be quite forgettable and pointless.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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TVJerryJun 13, 2020

Elisabeth Moss continues to expand her range as this cantankerous horror writer (based on Shirley Jackson). Her character is smart and verbally vicious, but also immensely troubled. When a young couple moves into their house, unusual thingsElisabeth Moss continues to expand her range as this cantankerous horror writer (based on Shirley Jackson). Her character is smart and verbally vicious, but also immensely troubled. When a young couple moves into their house, unusual things happen in several directions. This is primarily an exercise in putting complex characters in uncomfortable situations. As the relationships evolve, the drama abounds. Director Josephine Decker has created moods and people who are sometimes compelling and other times just frustrating. It's an unusual character drama with Moss' performance creating the most interest.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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bertobellamyNov 22, 2020

'Shirley' is not your regular biopic. Through this exuberant representation of Shirley Jackson and Stanley Edgar Hyman, director Josephine Decker tries to explore the dark side of intellectuals; however, their intentions never seem clear'Shirley' is not your regular biopic. Through this exuberant representation of Shirley Jackson and Stanley Edgar Hyman, director Josephine Decker tries to explore the dark side of intellectuals; however, their intentions never seem clear along the way. It's very welcoming to watch these new takes on the genre, but the plot's loss of focus turns the film into a very dense experience, and not in a great way.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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