Delayed Reaction: Christine

The Pitch: The story of the woman who inspire Network.

Here's how this is going to go. Rebecca Hall is tremendous in this movie. See it for that reason. It's about news reporter Christine Chubbuck. If you don't know her story and want to be surprised by the movie, stop reading now. If you already know her story, just clicked the Wikipedia link, or don't care about getting spoiled, please continue.

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Chubbuck is infamous for killing herself during a news broadcast after reading the line "In keeping with Channel 40's policy of bringing you the latest in 'blood and guts', and in living color, you are going to see another first—attempted suicide." Christine follows Chubbuck for the few weeks leading up to this event. It is a character study first and foremost. Without someone as good as Rebecca Hall at the center, the movie is nothing.

I think there is a correct amount to know about this going in. Know too much, and you start to pick at the accuracy. Know too little, and you can misinterpret certain warning signs. Christine is depressed and manic. Her actions are way over the top. All sorts of people are throwing her life preserves and she refuses them all. And she knows she's doing it. That feels very authentic to her depression even if it's not exactly how if went for Chubbuck in real life. At times, Hall is devastating to watch. I was thoroughly impressed.

Verdict (?):Weakly Recommend