Read Mixed User Reviews for True Story

6

HaithamBJul 12, 2015

True Story is by-the-numbers crime/thriller that features two great performances (Jonah and Franco), an engaging story that is although familiar, yet it works.

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5

beingryanjudeApr 19, 2015

Led by two very capable performances from Jonah Hill and James Franco, True Story is set up for success with Rupert Goold's David Fincher-influenced direction. It's effectively slow paced - however, with very little punch for conclusion.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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6

WJSJan 15, 2016

James Franco and Jonah Hill are strong, young actors and it's their performances that help make this movie watchable. Unfortunately it gets bogged down in a convoluted narrative that really doesn't live up to its title..."True Story". It justJames Franco and Jonah Hill are strong, young actors and it's their performances that help make this movie watchable. Unfortunately it gets bogged down in a convoluted narrative that really doesn't live up to its title..."True Story". It just seems very contrived and fake...more like a made for 2nd tier cable movie. Felicity Jones is a stand out here in the supporting role of Mike Finkel's wife.… Expand

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6

Brent_MarchantApr 18, 2015

Despite a stylish atmosphere and finely nuanced performances by James Franco and Felicity Jones, this mystery-courtroom-biopic offering feels rather incomplete, both for the investigator seeking the truth and for the audience seeking theDespite a stylish atmosphere and finely nuanced performances by James Franco and Felicity Jones, this mystery-courtroom-biopic offering feels rather incomplete, both for the investigator seeking the truth and for the audience seeking the truth behind the investigator. The film's deliberately slow pacing gives the audience hope that it will eventually be led to a satisfying conclusion. Instead, viewers are largely strung along toward an ending that leaves open almost as many questions as it answers.… Expand

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5

SpangleJan 13, 2016

True Story is entirely underwhelming. It is honestly the type of film that ends and make you wonder if that was really it. The story, as is, is quite captivating and really gets you hooked in, but it is so poorly told and then just kindTrue Story is entirely underwhelming. It is honestly the type of film that ends and make you wonder if that was really it. The story, as is, is quite captivating and really gets you hooked in, but it is so poorly told and then just kind of...ends that the movie never rises above being just something you spent an hour and a half watching. It truly is a film that redefines mediocre and average. Jonah Hill and James Franco are fantastic, but get stranded in the sea of mediocrity and, though they try their best, the film is just so mediocre in the way it communicates with you that their performances go to waste. As an overall picture, True Story just gets in its way too much and its muddled method of telling you the story will leave you largely confused and scratching your head as to where the compelling premise and story went.… Expand

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6

ydnar4Jul 12, 2015

True Story is directed by first time director Rupert Goold and stars Jonah Hill and James Franco. The film is based on the true story of Christian Longo (Franco) and adapted from Michael Finkel’s memoir of the same name. Longo, a perceivedTrue Story is directed by first time director Rupert Goold and stars Jonah Hill and James Franco. The film is based on the true story of Christian Longo (Franco) and adapted from Michael Finkel’s memoir of the same name. Longo, a perceived “regular guy” who is accused of the murder of his wife and three children. It is believed that Longo committed each of the murders and he fled to Mexico, but when he was found by police he used the identity of Michael Finkel (Hill) a recently fired writer for the New York Times. When Finkel hears of this story he visits Longo in prison with the intension of getting his writing career back on track by writing an article on Longo. The performances from both the stars in this film are great and it is the scenes where Hill and Franco are the only two characters present that really shine. It is now known that Jonah Hill can have a dramatic side after roles in Moneyball and The Wolf of Wall Street, both of which earned him Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor. Despite his ability I was questioning Hill’s ability to play a lead in a drama but after watching the film I think that Hill’s performance is the best in the film and I would like to see him take another lead in a drama film. James Franco is also known to dabble in both comedy and drama and his performance as Christian Longo is strong. Franco looks prepared for the part from the outset and looks like a man who cannot be trusted but he really didn’t hit the performance out of the park like I had hoped. Christian Longo is mysterious enough that if James Franco had given the role 100% effort I think it could’ve resulted in a Oscar nomination. Felicity Jones, is also in the film playing Michael Finkel’s wife Jill, but she is certainly underused. Jones was following up a Oscar-nominated breakout performance in The Theory of Everything and she was recently cast as the lead in the first Star Wars Anthology film so this young actress looks like an up-and-comer but just didn’t get enough screen time to really shine. The film really builds up tension well throughout the film but the ending occurs a little too sharply for my liking and really doesn’t have the huge climax that I was expecting. It seems like the film was limited to only 99 minutes of running time and could not be any longer. I think another 10-15 minutes would’ve worked wonders for this movie. That being said the performances are what make this movie fresh and although its reach may exceed its grasp it is still a film worth watching for a crime movie fan.… Expand

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6

smiyamotJul 21, 2016

While the story line seems like a hit: man is accused of murdering his wife and three kids - but he's innocent, maybe, and a disgraced New York Times reporter is hot on the trail, the movie itself is a miss. Just didn't feel any tensionWhile the story line seems like a hit: man is accused of murdering his wife and three kids - but he's innocent, maybe, and a disgraced New York Times reporter is hot on the trail, the movie itself is a miss. Just didn't feel any tension build up, no mystery, no saving grace.… Expand

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4

TVJerryApr 20, 2015

This film is based on actual events about an accused killer (James Franco) who assumes the name of a disgraced New York Times reporter (Jonah Hill). Once they meet, most of the movie is spent with the prison encounters between them…and it'sThis film is based on actual events about an accused killer (James Franco) who assumes the name of a disgraced New York Times reporter (Jonah Hill). Once they meet, most of the movie is spent with the prison encounters between them…and it's pretty mild. While the premise is interesting, the film lacks tension and (ironically) good writing. It doesn't help that Franco intentionally plays his character with blank emotion, which instead of coming off sinister, just reads flat. Hill is equally inert. The story has the potential for a gripping game of truth vs. lies, but the bland direction, lackluster script and uninspired performances dull this story.… Expand