Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story

Lifetime seems to be stepping up their game. They did a great job with the "Surviving R Kelly" series, and now they've released this TV movie. Is this movie perfect? NO. But it's a Lifetime movie, which are usually horrible and this is miles above their usual stuff.

The topic is fascinating - the horrors of an 1887 women's mental institution. Which is a terrifying premise given that back then women could be thrown into institutions for almost any reason, and with little to no rights, they were stuck there sometimes forever.

I'm not sure that they way the movie's story is structured best serves the story as there is a late reveal that might have been interesting to have known in advance and watched in real-time. I won't spoil that twist here, but I'll tell you that if you don't want to know, you should NOT read the movie descriptions in advance. Part of the problem is that I did read the description on my Comcast, so I knew way more than the amnesiac heroine and the late-story twist was no surprise to me. Still, despite that, I found myself entertained and there are plenty of small character twists to surprise you. Great performances from Christina Ricci and Judith Light!

After watching the movie, you can go online and read about the real Nelly Bly, and you'll discover that this movie veers pretty far off the actual historical events. However, it still makes for an interesting angle that is at least "inspired by" the real story.

Is an entertaining movie loosely based on the real story, yes that's right, but I rather prefer a not so accurate story because it's a movie after all. If you want to know about the real story, just read the book and stop complaining about the "mistakes" the writer supposedly did with the film.

The tragedy of Lifetime's presentation of Nellie Bly's story of her time in the insane asylum on Blackwell's Island is that reality of what happened to her and chronicalled in her book '10 Days in the Madhouse' is far more interesting than the fictionalized account presented in the film. What Nellie Bly did was remarkable and lead to significant reforms in the way things were done. Truth is frequently more interesting than fiction.

Made by Lifetime TV, "Television for Women." But, unfortunately, the facts about the courageous Nellie Bly and her fight for patient rights are not a part of tis film. Watchable.

7, because Christina Ricci Judith Light Nellie "Bly"

When Lifetime does a movie, we know a lot about what it will be like. Lifetime movies are their own genre. I haven't watched one for probably 30 years because: vcrs, dvds, real cable, streaming.

Almost didn't watch this, but Ricci & Light were a draw for me.

It's a passable movie, decent sets etc. Categorised under Horror/Thriller, I was surprised to find it a Based On.

Don't expect Eli Roth level scares, although it's a truly horrifying fact that women were treated like this. The movie is generalities & smoothed edges.

Best about it was discovering the real story, of which I was totally ignorant. If this was complete fiction, it would be a 5 for me.

A watchable movie for a day you need good actresses, decent sets, & a story you can glide in & out of.

If it piques your interest, read her actual story!