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Charlie Says

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Charlie Says

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Summary

Three years after the infamous Manson murders, which shocked the world in 1969, graduate student Karlene Faith is tasked with teaching Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Susan Atkins, young women who were involved in the homicides. Director Mary Harron's biographical drama, starring Hannah Murray, Matt Smith and Sosie Bacon

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Review

A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Jamie Healy

The title of this true-crime drama might conjure memories of those old child-safety adverts from the 1970s, but Charlie Says is anything but cosy, nostalgic viewing. American Psycho director Mary Harron's film about the Manson Family focuses on the three women who were put on death row for their involvement in the 1969 Tate/LaBianca murders. Graduate student Karlene Faith (Merritt Wever) is given access to the incarcerated trio, but struggles to break through the brainwashing they received during their time in Charles Manson's California commune. In a surprise piece of casting, Doctor Who's Matt Smith plays Manson in the flashback sequences, with the former Time Lord not only nailing the accent but also channelling the beady-eyed intensity of the cult leader. Fellow Brit Hannah Murray also impresses as Leslie Van Houten, nicknamed "Lulu", and it's through her innocent eyes that we witness the 1960s hippy dream turn sour, as free love gives way to paranoia and grim violence. Although uncomfortably lurid in places, the film stops short of the full-on exploitative treatment it could have warranted. And while it never excuses the actions of the women, it does dare to suggest that cold-blooded killers can be victims themselves.

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5.9/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenameLeslie "Lulu" Van HoutenHannah MurrayCharles MansonMatt SmithPatricia "Katie" KrenwinkelSosie BaconSusan "Sadie" AtkinsMarianne RendonKarlene FaithMerritt WeverMary BrunnerSuki WaterhouseTex WatsonChace CrawfordLynette "Squeaky" FrommeKayli CarterVirginia CarlsonAnnabeth Gish

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Crew

rolenameDirectorMary Harron

Details

Languages

English

Guidance

violence, swearing, sex scenes, drug abuse

Available on

DVD

Formats

Colour

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