Lizzie

Lizzie (2018, Macneill, USA) features that pleasant memorable morning in Fall River, Massachusetts as it is one of the most known American atrocities of the late 19th century. Lizzie Borden, who suffered from “peculiar spells,” which still go undiagnosed, is suspected to have axe murdered her father and stepmother with the help of the maid, Bridget. And in Macneill’s version, Lizzie (Chloë Sevigny) and Bridget (Kristen Stewart) are lovers! Thrilling! The sound and transitions meaningfully stood out. The background noise would sometimes sound scary, like what you would hear in a horror movie when something is about to jump out. I believe the sound was to represent Lizzie’s mind, each time her family hurt her some way, her mind got more and more dark. The music gets louder, more chaotic, and more tumultuous, especially when transitioning into a new scene. How the film was edited successfully made it more enticing. The very first scene is finding the father and step mother dead. When the police start asking Lizzie questions, then we go back in time. But still the story isn’t told chronologically. When Lizzie is in jail waiting for her trial to end, Bridget comes to visit and we go back in time again to see how Lizzie planes the killing. It’s different and captivating.
The murder scenes, though extremely horrific, you can see the desperation on Lizzie’s face, and feel her need to kill these people. Chloë Sevigny is astonishing to be able to display these emotions. She does not look like an axe murderer or mentally deranged. We watch how she is treated unfairly and unkindly and we are to sympathize with her, even while she’s butchering her father and stepmom.
The story of Lizzie Borden has been done many times on screen and in literature. It’s fascinating how each artist decides to show the events differently though keeping the suspicion that Lizzie is the murderer. In reality, the case was never solved, Lizzie was acquitted of the charges, and the police stopped searching for the murderer. Today, the case is taught as one of America’s landmarks in legal proceedings involving publicity and public interest. While some historians think Lizzie was a lesbian, most concur that Bridget was not. Still, their chemistry is undeniable and and Bridget’s motives were more believable.

“This is America, sir. Every man with a pulse has enemies.” — Lizzie Borden