Torso: The Evelyn Dick Story

You would be hard pressed to identify this as a made-for-television movie. The cinematography and production design are superior to most theatrical features (angular and overhead camera shots, tight shots on Kathleen Robertson, period costuming and good sets). It really transports the viewer back to 1940's Ontario. They paid attention to the details and put serious money into creating a stylish stage on which Robertson turns in a truly fine performance.

She plays a young woman from a horribly abusive family; and what with the flashbacks she convincingly plays herself from about age 13 to age 26 (in fact the flashback to her at age 13 is the most convincing scene in the film). Under a cynical veneer is someone so scarred that she cannot really defend herself against two murder charges, but with their elliptical storytelling technique it is some time before the viewer understands the whole dynamic. The film is really about peeling back her protective layers. Instead of a traditional narrative about a character undergoing changes, what changes here is not the character but the viewer's perception of the character.

Robertson was born for this role. I have generally liked her in other stuff but have felt a bit uneasy-when she smiles it seems like she is conning me. This works against her in "good girl" roles ("Maniac Mansion" and "Splendor") but could actually work for her in "bad girl" roles. And it certainly really works for her here where her character is as ambiguous as any you are likely to find.

This film has all the elements that make up great murder mystery/thriller/docudramas except one: an interesting case at its center. The actors are all excellent, though only Robertson's role rises above the nondescript, for the most part. Fricker and Rennie are oddly cast, as well; while both are very talented and do fine here, their roles don't seem particularly suited to them. They seem unduly constrained by the true origins of the people and situations portrayed. The central weakness, however, is the murder case itself. While all the facts are never made clear (as they have apparently never been in real life), the identity of the murderer or murderers is never really in much doubt. The "shocking" elements of the plot are likewise underwhelming, though this is primarily due to the fact that the audience has grown inured through overexposure to depravity in movie plots, which can't really be held against this film (or this murder case). All in all, this is a well-acted, well-directed, fully-conceived film built around an unworthy story.

This is a riveting tale of a beautiful young woman emotionally crippled by her abusive, controlling parents. The plot has many unexpected twists and as more is revealed about Evelyn Dick's life the story is increasingly compelling. She leaves the film almost as much an enigma as when she enters it. Good performances -- Kathleen Robertson is stunning in the lead role, and Brenda Fricker turns in a wicked performance reminiscent of some of Kathy Bates' characters. I enjoyed the use of high and straight-overhead camera angles and the use of stark lighting in many of the scenes. The costuming was terrific and the director made good use of the details in the closeup work. Visually a feast, all-around very good!

Saw this movie on cable, and was surprised at how entertaining it was for a made-for-tv flick. The story was interesting - as far as these true crime stories go - and the performances were actually quite good. Which brings me to my real point: after watching Kathleen Robertson's performance, I wonder why she isn't in more high-profile films. This woman is quite a talent and a very unique beauty to boot. You mean to tell me she wouldn't have been better than the boring Elizabeth Banks was in Seabiscuit? Or Liv Tyler in most anything? Or couldn't have handled Carla Gugino's Spy Kids' Mom? This woman deserves to be a star.

Anyway, the movie is a nice little diversion.

I thought the film was okay. For a film that was about a sensational murder mystery it was a little on the mediocre side. I'm not sure why that is so, it must be the directing. Kathleen Robertson is simply wonderful as Evelyn Dick. She portrayed this woman as very vulnerable, slightly stupid, and easily manipulated by her horrible parents. it's an intriguing performance. She's like a little girl in a woman's body. Plus, Kathleen Robertson is very beautiful, like an old time movie star. Wish I could see more of her work.

I actually rented this film to watch Callum Keith Rennie. He turns in a rather fine performance as the police inspector that arrests Evelyn Dick on the suspician of the murder of her husband. This role is quite different from alot of roles that I've seen Rennie in. He looked very elegant in the 1950s suit and he is absolutely convincing as the policeman who brings in Evelyn Dick. His whole body type actually looks different, he stands taller and he even looks broad shouldered! Must be the suit.

This was a good rental, nothing more. Watch this movie because of Kathleen Robertson's remarkable performance.