The Lizzie Borden Chronicles

This series has everything I love - period piece, based on a real person, Christina Ricci! It is lovely to look at with beautiful costumes - but they need to spend some of that costume money on script writers. There is almost no plot. Someone makes Lizzie angry - 5 minutes later she kills that person - over and over again. No mystery, no tension, just anger then death. Predictable and boring.

I adore Christina Ricci but she is just not right for this role. She is not believable as someone from this era. Her speech phrasing is modern as are her movements. I need to write more for this review but this is difficult because this show has so little substance to it. Perhaps I will mention how it's difficult to tell one male character from another because they all have reddish beards.

There isn't much about the plot that will make you be on the edge of your seat, but it's enough to keep you entertained for an hour. It's just about Lizzie and her sister trying to live their lives after Lizzie's murder trial, where she was found not guilty of killing her father and stepmother. All in all, this isn't the kind of show that you'll be making a priority to watch, but it's not a bad show to watch if you're just flipping through channels. Christina Ricci does a great job playing Lizzie Borden. Christina Ricci is a timeless actress. I don't think she's aged in 20 years. Clea DuVall, the actress who plays Lizzie's sister, Emma Borden, also does a great job.

Ricci's portrayal of Lizzie Borden is captivating enough to give the first episode a shot; and if you like it the series only gets better... second episode you get to see Mike from Breaking Bad! (Johnathon Banks). Not to mention the lovely DuVall.

Great writing, well paced, jammed packed every episode, with hints of dexter-like moments... and Ricci is still just as easy to fall in love with even as a demented sociopath murderer.

In her own world, it's almost as if Borden sees herself as a vigilante. As deranged as Lizzie is, she refuses to ever be a victim- through her confidence, indifference to what anyone says or thinks about her, her incredible wit, and by her flawless ability to adapt her demeanor based on the situation. Fascinating to see life in her eyes.

Ricci's best role since 'black snake moan'...

(side note- disregard complaints about the music, some of the score is modern/relatable to viewers.. adds an edgy twist.. so what if the music is not from that time period? )

I just felt inclined to write a review after watching this mini series. I hope there is another season since I absolutely loved this TV show. The lighting and the portrayal of that era is very accurate with some beautiful apparel. After watching the first episode I was a little sketchy as to watch the rest of the show. However, after the second episode continued, the show only became better and better. The plots were more creative and the story was brilliant. Christina Ricci seems to play this role perfectly with her young innocent yet evil looks.

The soundtrack and filming are very refreshing and different to normal TV shows and therefore adds the spice. I was hooked instantly and watched the entire mini-series throughout the day. Unlike most TV shows, this show manages to make every episode full of twists and action. There isn't a single boring episode throughout. I loved it. I would recommend this TV show to anyone/everyone.

(But if you don't have the patience to sit through one episode. Then this show is not for you)

I'm total fan girl of Ricci's so in some ways I expected this series to be offbeat and irreverent. That being said the choice of rock music is initially baffling, confusing, and off-putting. However it kind of reminds me of Tarantino or what Luhrman did with Romeo and Juliet so it grew on me when looking at it thru that lens. It's completely weird and likely inaccurate but if you enjoy Thrillers, the chase that occurs between Borden and Siringo will keep you intrigued enough to finish this- what seems like- only season of this show.