Torso: The Evelyn Dick Story

I recently saw Torso: The Evelyn Dick Story this past week. It was supposed to air this past September but did not due to the tragedy of 9/11. I feel the movie was done really well and Kathleen Robertson, a fellow Hamilton resident herself did a wonderful job as Evelyn, the black widow of Hamilton. I also come from Hamilton and noticed that a fair part of the movie was actually shot here. Overall, I would say the movie was great and I would watch it again.

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.

Very good movie. Starts out a little iffy because I think the director goes too much for the old 40's feel, but it picks up quickly and is quite well acted (especially Robertson and Callum Keith Rennie). The ending is very well paced and the revelations about Dick's life are done just right in order to make it believable instead of cheesy. Rennie is gorgeous and stellar as the only man unmoved by Dick's feminine wiles and the supporting cast, most notably the actress who plays Evelyn's mother, are great. I was very pleasantly surprised by the direction and production value, seeing as this was a made-for-TV movie, but it is nearly cinema movie quality. This is well worth the 10 bucks I paid to own it.

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.

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.