Mary Oxendale Spensley

So disappointing. Laura Dern is usually more discerning. I wasn't expecting such a flat, sentimental romance.

Slow, banal, formulaic, implausible.

So bizarre, the dialogue is so domestic all while bullets are whizzing past their noses. They are so likeable, and funny!

This production is thoroughly brilliant. Although it's based on a true story, it's told from the viewpoint of a delusional character, who most definitely planned and participated in the murder of her parents. Dribs and drabs of reality poke through only because of the efforts of a determined detective. We never do know exactly what happened, or why, or even if the main character's husband emotionally abandoned her. We know the husband's brother and mother met untimely ends, and his stepmother won't speak of what happened, only to imply it was awful, and possibly the husband's fault. The psychology of the wife, husband and stepmother is vividly portrayed, as reality takes a back seat to wishful delusions. The characters are not just likeable, but lovable, though you wouldn't want to keep them too close.

This is not quite satire. It's humorous, but also painful, because it's so close to what we're facing now, with the airheads, the anti-science crowd and narcissistic politicians.

This film is about forgiveness. Compelling, heart breaking, beautifully acted.

Sorry. I disliked it. Maudlin, predictable and so slow I had to fidget throughout; otherwise, I would have slumped down to the floor, snoring.