So, I recently gambled $6.99 for a one-month membership to NETFLIX, allowing me to scour its vast library and settle on 21 chosen titles to watch before said membership ends on January 22nd. One title, "Woman of the Millisecond," I mean, "Hour," left me scratching my head, wondering, "WHAAAAAAT?" From a writer's standpoint, it appeared that both protagonist and antagonist were given equal time, so I kept asking myself, "Who's story is being told here?"
Anna Kendrick does a masterful job from the director's chair, but I felt she was too old for the role of a "young, aspiring actress in the mid-1970s." Kendrick was 39 during production. Seriously, how many 39-year-olds were appearing on THE DATING GAME? Also, viewers are led to believe this cinematic tale is a true story, yet if one digs a bit deeper, one learns that our "Woman," Sheryl Bradshaw, and Serial-Killing Scumbag, Rodney Alcala, never met for a drink immediately following the show's taping. And so, if they didn't meet for a drink, there's no need to include her painstakingly edge-of-your-seat long walk back to her car with Serial-Killing Scumbag following just a few paces behind. Another point of contention-- Kendrick's Sheryl did not embellish her questions during the broadcast, much to the flabbergasted dismay of the "Jim Lang"-like host. Yes, I can understand a writer's theatrical license, but isn't this a bit much?
Change my mind..... IF YOU DARE!!!!!
Hey, Bill Brock. Woman of the Hour is fantastic! I like that the protagonist and antagonist both got so much time on screen. I thought most of the focus was gonna be on Sheryl going into the movie. I think it's fine that they added the drink scene and Sheryl embellishing her questions. It works, and the drink scene is a great use of dramatic irony and suspense!
Maurice Vaughan I’m glad you enjoyed it, Maurice. I wish I could share your enthusiasm. I was totally stoked when I saw the trailer! It looked amazing. BUT, the poster DOES claim, “Based on the Shocking True Story.” Nope. Not Happening. NETFLIX should’ve gone with, “Based on Some Actual Events.” There’s really not much of a story here. I like the premise. The problem with the script is that one can Google how this True Story ends. She was never in deep peril as the trailer suggests. Also, there are no rising stakes attached to her character. Okay, unemployed actress decides to appear on game show. Anything else? Apparently not.
I see "based on a true story" as a movie/show/etc. that's about an event that happened, but the writer or director can make up things to enhance the story, Bill Brock. And if I remember correctly, Sheryl didn't want to be on the show, but she couldn't get other acting gigs and her agent said the show would get her name out there. Then the stakes become her life during the parking lot scene when Rodney nearly attacks her.
Yeah, stakes that never occurred. The actual Sheryl Bradshaw was never in danger because it was quite some time after the episode aired that she learned of his serial-killing status. This event was a tiny sliver of her life bloated into a 95 minute film. I’m old enough to remember watching the show and the young actresses that appeared were a dime a dozen. All of them did the show for exposure. I believe Farrah Fawcett may have made an appearance. Pee-Wee Herman once appeared as an eligible bachelor, as did Steve Martin and Tom Selleck. All three definitely made it big afterwards.
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Bill Brock hi Bill, I watched this because everyone was shouting at me to do so, but in the final analysis it just left me cold. It was like I was a detached observer watching the film. True, your aforementioned scumbag was disturbing and maybe that was the point. Was it just another boring jibe at the ‘patriarchy’, or was there more to it?
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I haven't had a Netflix subscription in years. Just feels like the platform is a Twitter account making movies.
Regarding the age of the protagonist, yes it's implausible, but, if you have a thriller project you're trying to get made and Kendrick wants to attach, you're more than likely going to say yes. This is the side of movie making most of us are oblivious to. You don't get to pick and choose much. It's a tough balance between your artistic values and what works economically.
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The writer must have a sweet Netflix deal; the poster credits has the writer with same font size and placement as the director.
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Having also recently watched the movie, I could see the intrigue of that story on paper. It's one of those "wow that's crazy" ideas that come through development that producers will take a flier on, and the movie had some great producers on board. Think the script was also featured on the 2017 annual Black List, so it was pretty bonafide solid on paper (again). Didn't have many qualms with Kendrick as far as casting, she's a great actress and strong leading lady. I do agree that at times it didn't feel like she was leading the movie enough. Her character's journey just felt a little truncated, like it was about this talented actor who couldn't get a fair opportunity, and this odd incidence was one of the final nails in the coffin for her to give up on her dream and leave LA/acting behind. So there was some catharsis if you look at it from that angle. But again, didn't feel like it really focused on her character arc enough, which also might've had something to do with Kendrick working out her process and trying to balance/maintain energy in her directorial debut!
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The writer actually doesn't have a Netflix deal. Ian wrote the original version of the script years ago. I read it back in 2017 I believe, when it was being used as his spec and going by the title, Rodney and Sheryl. He and I developed a film together for Amazon Studios for a few years and while we were working on that, he and Anna partnered on this project together. He was really passionate about it and she didn't want him to be lost in the process as film writers so often are, so they worked very closely together. I believe that's why his name is prominently featured. Ian is a great guy. He works incredibly hard, isn't afraid to dive into difficult notes and put the work in, and he's a delight to problem-solve with. I haven't spoken to him for about 2 years now and I miss our long chats.