The Tale

Home Box Office (HBO) | Release Date (Streaming): May 26, 2018

7.2	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 78 Ratings

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JLuis_001May 30, 2018

It is not an easy film and it doesn't deal with a easy theme, in addition to the fact that the paused way in which the story is told will not get many followers for the cause, but being a personal story of the director and screenwriter;It is not an easy film and it doesn't deal with a easy theme, in addition to the fact that the paused way in which the story is told will not get many followers for the cause, but being a personal story of the director and screenwriter; Jennifer Fox, the film takes on a different relevance in particular. for the touch and sensitivity that she provides and that undoubtedly makes a difference from other films that portray a similar topic.

Indispensable.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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IndiefilmloverJun 2, 2018

Quite frankly, "The Tale" is a difficult film to watch, but it tells a complicated story that deserves to be told. Definitely not a film for the very young. It might be worth seeing with teenagers along with their parents, but only if theQuite frankly, "The Tale" is a difficult film to watch, but it tells a complicated story that deserves to be told. Definitely not a film for the very young. It might be worth seeing with teenagers along with their parents, but only if the parents are prepared to have a long discussion with their children afterwards. Laura Dern, as expected gives a strong performance, but Jason Ritter as Bill is absolutely fearless. It's hard to imagine anyone doing a better job in the latter role then Ritter.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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amheretojudgeJun 4, 2018

explore into a colony of black and white saints..

The Tale A wide range of such genre features are created that focuses on the fragile aspects of the society, but only few of them gets it right on both - the cinematic and infomercial - theexplore into a colony of black and white saints..

The Tale

A wide range of such genre features are created that focuses on the fragile aspects of the society, but only few of them gets it right on both - the cinematic and infomercial - the ways and maintains the perfect balance. It is visually beautiful with impressive camera work and cinematography that unfortunately isn't supported to that extent on technical aspects like background score and editing. There are few cringe worthy scenes; which is obvious considering the premise, that took lots of gut to pull it off on screen by the makers. The writing is strong, sharply accurate and ballsy that ups the ante and the energy of the cinema on screen as it doesn't flinch on visiting unexpected places and tell its own story. Jennifer Fox; has done a plausible work on writing the script but an even more tremendous job on executing such an eerie feature with such confidence. The character's perspective as it struggles on recollecting the occurred events is brilliantly depicted that proves not only the excellence on writing but the wittiness on the tricks and treats installed by the makers for the audience. The feature scores majestically on performance where everyone is giving their best especially Laura Dern who is a revelation in this masterpiece and is supported by a great cast like Elizabeth Debicki, Chelsea Alden and Jason Ritter. The structure of the plot isn't one's usual melodrama that spends its time on grieving and instead takes action through its own methodology and is delivered by some amazing heartfelt conversations. The Tale explores into a colony of black and white saints and segregates the bigger terms in the society and narrows it down to a much simpler and adequate point.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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ValdiBJun 11, 2018

With her background in documentary films, Jennifer Fox brings out a freshly crafted biopic that plays out like an actual documentary. It's a risky move on paper, but a bold one once it played out on screen. The chemistry between the cast isWith her background in documentary films, Jennifer Fox brings out a freshly crafted biopic that plays out like an actual documentary. It's a risky move on paper, but a bold one once it played out on screen. The chemistry between the cast is great, which is scary to say the least considering its subject matter.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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m15964Oct 5, 2019

I think it's overrated in critics reviews even though actually it's a fantastic movie that moves your heart to the heartbreaking subject that the movie is all about. The best parts of the movie are last scenes when the grown up characterI think it's overrated in critics reviews even though actually it's a fantastic movie that moves your heart to the heartbreaking subject that the movie is all about. The best parts of the movie are last scenes when the grown up character finally get this point that it's absolutely wrong to behave like this to a teenager girl.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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ahmedaiman9999Jun 8, 2018

The plot is very messy and incoherent. This is the only issue I have with The Tale, but it's definitely a grave one. I won't be lying if I said that sometimes I couldn't even tell what was Jennifer, our protagonist, wanted to know, or whatThe plot is very messy and incoherent. This is the only issue I have with The Tale, but it's definitely a grave one. I won't be lying if I said that sometimes I couldn't even tell what was Jennifer, our protagonist, wanted to know, or what she was trying to discover. All I wanted is a specific aim, and that shouldn't have been hard to achieve. But there are so many things that can redeem this film. All the performances are great; Elizabeth Debicki is wonderful as Jennifer's riding teacher, and I didn't even realize that she has these masterful acting abilties. Laura Dern is very good as Jennifer, but I think Isabelle Nélisse who played the same character at the age of 13 is the real star in this movie. She excellently balanced between the innocence and the cruelty; as the movie mixed between the past and the present.

By the way, this is one of the most important things that made this movie so intense. Jennifer Fox, as a director, used the technique of mixing the past with the present to create some sort of an unsettling atmosphere that made this movie so difficult to watch. Also, there is a particular scene in which this technique was used, that I consider as the best scene of the movie, and one of the best movie scenes this year so far.

Another great decision the director made is retelling Jennifer's story every time she discovers something new about her past. That made me that every new piece of information is like a clever twist.

There are plenty of moments that will make you feel nervous. Moments that will put you into Jennifer's shoes, and make you keep wondering what this character will do to her? what this character's answer will be like? Is this is even the truth? As you can see there are many great things in terms of the directing, and that means that Jennifer Fox's directorial debut is very successful. But it's her writing abilities that need to be developed.

(7/10)… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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DeanomiteJan 20, 2020

Ellen Burstyn (The Exorcist) is always amazing, Laura Dern going strong after Marriage Story. Autobiographical story of Jennifer Fox who has worked on lots of good movies. I like the way the nostalgia is interactive, breaks the 4th wallEllen Burstyn (The Exorcist) is always amazing, Laura Dern going strong after Marriage Story. Autobiographical story of Jennifer Fox who has worked on lots of good movies. I like the way the nostalgia is interactive, breaks the 4th wall well. Nicely photographed and edited, good acting all around. I like how the perspective adjusts nostalgia to reality. It reminds me of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, nostalgia from an adult perspective. I like the idea of realizing in adulthood that we were abused in childhood, in many ways. I like how she saw herself as a hero for walking away, failing to see how she was victimized. There are no heroes in these stories, only survivors.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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mrharrybeckOct 7, 2018

Timely and above all; IMPORTANT. Powerful performances and great direction. Laura Dern is at her best here with a topic that sadly reflects our every-day world.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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Slovenly_MuseSep 2, 2018

Not since "Mysterious Skin" has a film so tenderly explored the psychological effects of sexual abuse on children as they develop into adults around the minefields of their own coping mechanisms. The fact that the film is autobiographicalNot since "Mysterious Skin" has a film so tenderly explored the psychological effects of sexual abuse on children as they develop into adults around the minefields of their own coping mechanisms. The fact that the film is autobiographical grants it additional layers of intimacy, empathy, and strength.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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CosiMOLOGOSep 10, 2018

La autobiografía de la directora, periodista, y documentalista Jennifer Fox es una de las películas más conmovedoras y fuertes del año, ya que la directora se atreve a contar el abuso sexual que sufrió a los 13 años. Mientras JenniferLa autobiografía de la directora, periodista, y documentalista Jennifer Fox es una de las películas más conmovedoras y fuertes del año, ya que la directora se atreve a contar el abuso sexual que sufrió a los 13 años. Mientras Jennifer trabajaba en un documental sobre victimas de abuso infantil, un día recibe una llamada de sus madre, alarmada, al encontrar una historia que escribió durante un verano. En ese tiempo ella vivía en un campamento de equitación, junto con tres jóvenes. La señora G, su entrenadora de equitación, una mujer disciplinada y guapa. El señor G, fue la "pareja" (como ella lo llamó durante mucho tiempo) de Jenny cuando ella tenia 13.

La historia se construye poco a poca, los datos se van formando. Se acompaña con la interpretación de Laura Denn, que llega a conmover con más intensidad en la escena final. Elizabeth Debicki no se queda sin merito, también ofrece una interpretación muy bien lograda.

Una forma novedosa de narrar una autobiografía, que se ayuda de la historia escrita por Jennifer a los 13. Puede que posiblemente la película incomode a ciertos públicos, perosi se observa con una visión seria notará las intenciones que guarda.

No pasen por alto The Tale, una de las mejores películas del año… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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