Charlie Says (2018) Reviews

• "Charlie Says" shows promise but lacks depth

  paul-allaer2019-05-12

  "Charlie Says" (2018 release; 101 min.) brings the story of the Charles Manson murders, but this time for the perspective of the three "Manson women" involved in the killings. As the movie opens, one of the women is taking a shower, the blood coming off of her hair and body. We then go the "3 Years Later", and we see the three women in jail at the California Institution for Women, on a separated wing with just the three of them: Lulu, Sadie and Katie. A graduate student at UC Santa Cruz is given the opportunity to teach these three some classes. When then go back in time, to when Leslie (later named Lulu by Manson) arrives at the remote ranch where Mason and his entourage live... At this point we are 10 min. into the movie, but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out. Couple of comments: this is the latest from Canadian director Mary Herron, who previously brought us the worthwhile "I Shot Andy Warhol" and, even better, "American Psycho". Here she revisits the events that are often referred to as "having ended the 60s" (the murders took place in August, 1969). The film is based on several books, including the one written by the graduate student on specifically Leslie/Lulu, but there are certainly additional source materials on the Manson women. Indeed the eternal question seems to be: are these women victims themselves? are they just part of the gang that committed these vicious killings? The movie attempts to address that, and while at times it shows promise, in the end the movie lacks depth and what we are stuck with is something that certainly isn't a bad movie, but given the underlying facts, it feels more like a missed opportunity. Leslie/Lulu is played with conviction by up-and-coming British actress Hannah Murray. Manson is played by Matt Smith as if he's Jim Morrison (check out Smith instead in that other recent indie movie "Mapplethorpe"). Beware: there is a fair amount of nudity in the film, so if that is a concern for you, better stay away and check out another film. "Charlie Says" premiered at last Fall's Venice film festival to ho-hum reaction, and is now getting a limited US theater release. It opened at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati this weekend for just a one week run. The early Sunday evening screening where I saw this at was attended so-so (7 or 8 people). Maybe this will find a larger audience as it is launched on other platforms. If you have any interest in the Manson murders, and in particular the women that were involved in it, I suggest you check this out, be it in the theater (unlikely), on VOD, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.

  More

• let's hear from Lulu

  ferguson-62019-05-09

  Greetings again from the darkness. Author Joan Didion wrote "the 1960's ended abruptly on August 9, 1969", and as we approach the 50th anniversary of that tragic night ... actually two tragic nights (August 8 and 9) ... there is no shortage of recollections and reenactments through both print and visual media. For anyone who was alive at the time or has read the story since, the grisly murders and cult commune lorded over by Charles Manson remains nearly beyond belief. Unfortunately, it's all too real. Director Mary Harron and screenwriter Guinevere Turner previously collaborated on AMERICAN PSYCHO (2000) and THE NOTORIOUS BETTIE PAGE (2015), and here, "inspired by" books from Karlene Faith ("The Long Prison Journey of Leslie Van Houten: Life Beyond the Cult", 2001) and Ed Sanders ("The Family", 1972, also one of the film's producers), we get a glimpse of the Manson cult through the eyes of the women, especially Leslie Van Houten. And let's be honest, that's where the real mystery is. A domineering, arrogant, white supremacist is not nearly as interesting as the story of how these women became so enchanted by him that they were willing (even anxious) to murder innocent people on his behalf. Hannah Murray ("Game of Thrones") stars as Leslie Van Houten, nicknamed "LuLu" by Manson not long after they meet for the first time. We see Van Houten, Susan "Sadie" Atkins (Marianne Rendon) and Patricia "Katie" Krenwinkel (Sosie Bacon, daughter of Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick) in an isolated cell block of a California Women's Prison five years after the murders. They are going through therapy sessions with Karlene Faith (Merritt Weaver, "Godless") whose goal is to remind them of who they were before meeting Manson. During the prison therapy sessions, we get flashbacks to the Spahn Ranch where Manson ruled over his followers which also included Mary Brunner (Suki Waterhouse), Squeaky Fromme (Kayli Carter), Linda Kasabian (India Ennenga), and of course, Tex Watson (Chace Crawford), who initially comes off as quite aloof, but eventually buys in totally - in a most violent manner. It's these flashbacks that are meant to help us understand the brainwashing which stuck with these women through the crimes, through their trial, and through years of incarceration. We hear the "garbage dump" song. We hear about money and ego. We learn that 'the new rules are no rules'. We see Manson's dream of becoming a rock star shattered by music producer Terry Melcher (the son of Doris Day) after his introduction from Dennis Wilson (The Beach Boys drummer), who hung around the ranch sometimes. And we hear Manson's rantings about the correlations between The Beatles' White Album and the Bible, and about how a race war is coming (and it's named Helter Skelter). Matt Smith plays Charles Manson, and oddly enough, this comes on the heels of his playing artist Robert Mapplethorpe in MAPPLETHORPE (2018). Smith seems to have fun with the role, but it's these segments that feel underwritten. We want more of an explanation of how this could happen. On the other hand, the therapy sessions in the prison actually provide more insight to the lasting effects of the man and the cult that brainwashed them right into committing cold-blooded murder and a life behind bars. The thankless job of a prison therapist becomes clear as Ms. Faith realizes that if she breaks the Manson spell, these women will be forced to live with the unimaginable atrocities they committed. For a different perspective, track down the 1976 TV movie HELTER SKELTER that was based on prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi's book. It starred Steve Railsback as a terrifying Charles Manson.

  More

• Pseudohistory of the Manson Family.

  znuzhu2019-03-13

  The movie is about Charlie Manson and his manipulation tactics on the members of his cult. Now let's start off with the good: Now for the bad: If you are looking for a accurate portrayal then this film isn't worth watching.

• A fine, feminist film well worth a watch

  palovyper2018-11-10

  This fine film gives voice to the Manson family women, whom history has reduced to dwelling in the shadow of the infamous cult leader. It's intriguing work, well-directed and conveying an atmospheric feel of the "summer of love". Also, it's a magnetic portrait of Manson the man; Matt Smith does an excellent job, he's conveying a perfect balance of manipulative charm and danger. The one slightly negative remark I have, is that Smits's performance sometimes overshadows the women at the center of the narrative. But this is constantly exciting and well worth a watch. See it!

  More

• ridiculous "history"

  rdmcflyers-952472019-05-18

  So i'm guessing we are supposed to feel sorry for these "women" who after a few years in prison finally wake up and start to believe they had been brainwashed into committing these horrendous murders of innocent people. how about we just keep on believing that they weren't forced to do anything and acted of their own free will and should've been executed years ago. most normal people will save their sympathy for the real victims, those who were murdered in cold blood. just another way to jump on the anniversary bandwagon of these crimes.

  More