Synopsis: Mary Harron, director of American Psycho and I Shot Andy Warhol, has just released her newest true crime film Charlie Says (2019). Headlining stars such as Matt Smith, this film asks its viewer to recontextualize the myth of the Manson family cult to become more understanding of the women who were trapped in his abuse, especially protagonist Leslie Van Houten played by Hannah Murray. (AEG: 4.5/5)
Review by FF2 Intern Anika Guttormson
Mary Harron’s latest film Charlie Says sheds a new light on the lives of the three women sentenced to death in California in the wake of the Tate-LaBianca murders. The story follows Leslie Van Houten (as Hannah Murray), Patricia Krenwinkel (as Sosie Bacon) and Susan Atkins (as Marianne Rendón) as they enter the fold of Charles Manson’s cult and devolve from wide-eyed young women looking for escape to brainwashed followers. Written by Guinevere Turner, and inspired by novels by Karlene Faith and Ed Sanders, this film asks its audience to grapple with the difficult nature of psychological abuse and perhaps come to have some empathy for the woman who were roped into Manson’s ideology.
Harron carefully examines the play between sympathy and accountability in a way that few directors would be able to approach. This is due in large part to the incredible script by Guinevere Turner, who herself grew up in a cult. It is through Turner’s insight that the audience is able to develop a complex understanding of protagonist Leslie Van Houten’s situation.
The first night that Leslie spends at the Manson ranch, the group travels up into the mountains to set up a campfire. Here, in a graphic display, Manson has “his” girls forcefully undress one of the women. Watching her humiliation, Manson showers her in compliments, insisting over and over again that she is perfect. He turns her around and shows the group her surgical scars, and begins yelling that her parents’ greed and desire to operate on her are the reasons for her insecurity, therefore not “her fault.” This seriously twisted display of affection—manipulating a vulnerable young woman through a mix of humiliation and affirmation—gives deep insight into the methodology that Manson (and many other cult personalities) use to lure in followers.
Charles Manson himself is played by actor Matt Smith (best known for Doctor Who). Smith’s layered and heavy performance was a highlight of film. He is able to encapsulate not only the ferocity and madness of Charles Manson but also his uncanny charm and desirability. Through Smith’s acting, it becomes clear why so many women were drawn to this man.
Even so, Manson’s moments of affection always contain an edge, and Smith shows us the deep anger festering under the surface of his seemingly gentle facade. When this edge devolves into severe violence and abuse Smith ably captures the shifting nature of this serial abuser. Walking the line between being both commanding as well as deeply defensive and insecure would be difficult for any actor, but Smith combines these facets of Manson’s personality through his sheer talent.
Intertwined with the story of the girls on the Manson family ranch is a second plot that follows Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel and Susan Atkins in prison. Graduate student Karlene Faith (played by Merritt Wever) is selected to teach the girls about the outside world. Right away, Faith creates a women’s studies curriculum for them and has them read feminist literature in an attempt to have them gain some self-understanding.
These scenes wherein the girls are forced to grapple with the truth and break down the walls that Manson has built within their heads are thought-provoking and upsetting, but ultimately feel less insightful than the scenes of the girls on the ranch. Unfortunately, prison sequences that could have been used to more deeply explore the three women’s relationships to one another read more like filler to divide up the high tension of life on the ranch, instead of developed moments in their own right.
After the film Mary Harron spoke at a Q&A about the thought process behind the creation of Charlie Says. She explained being drawn to film as an art form because she felt she had something important to say, even if she was still figuring out the best way to say it. It’s because of this desire to shed light on the stories that society has ignored that first drew her to Guinevere Turner’s script. Through her insight, Charlie Says delivers a fantastic job of offering an empathetic look into the lives of Charles Manson’s often overlooked victims without becoming exploitative. Mary Harron delivers once again in this shocking film that is sure to be embraced by many women in the audience.
© Anika Guttormson (05/15/19) FF2 Media
Photo Credits: IMDB
Q: Does Charlie Says pass the Bechdel-Wallace Test?
Yes.
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across
this board and I find It truly helpful & it helped me out a lot.
I am hoping to offer one thing back and aid others such
as you helped me.
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for online blackjack
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished
to mention that I’ve really loved browsing your blog posts.
After all I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!
Hello There. I found your blog using msn.
This is a really well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your
useful information. Thanks for the post. I will certainly comeback.
obviously like your website however you need to test the spelling on several of
your posts. Several of them are rife with
spelling issues and I to find it very bothersome to
inform the reality then again I’ll definitely come back again.
It’s truly very complicated in this full of activity life to listen news on TV,
thus I only use internet for that purpose,
and get the most recent information.
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide
credit and sources back to your site? My blog site is in the
exact same niche as yours and my visitors would definitely benefit from
some of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this ok with you.
Appreciate it!
Hi there, I enjoy reading through your article post. I like to write a
little comment to support you.
Aw, this was an exceptionally good post. Finding the time and actual effort to generate a good
article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole
lot and don’t manage to get anything done.
Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the pictures on this blog loading?
I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
I’ll immediately seize your rss feed as I can not in finding your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service.
Do you’ve any? Please let me recognize in order that I may just subscribe.
Thanks.
Hi there every one, here every person is sharing these kinds of familiarity, thus it’s fastidious to read this website, and I
used to pay a quick visit this weblog all the time.
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital
to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment
and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
constantly i used to read smaller posts that as well clear their motive, and that is
also happening with this paragraph which I am reading at this
time.
Good answer back in return of this matter with real arguments and telling everything about that.
I must thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this
website. I am hoping to check out the same high-grade blog posts from you later on as well.
In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my very own website now 😉
Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having a tough
time locating it but, I’d like to send you an email. I’ve got some ideas for your
blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way,
great site and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.
With havin so much content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism
or copyright infringement? My website has a
lot of exclusive content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it looks like a
lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization.
Do you know any techniques to help prevent content from being stolen? I’d really appreciate it.
great publish, very informative. I’m wondering why the other experts
of this sector do not understand this. You must proceed your writing.
I am confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!
Hello everyone, it’s my first visit at this
site, and piece of writing is genuinely fruitful
in favor of me, keep up posting these types of posts.
I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills as
well as with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself?
Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a
great blog like this one today.
Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit
and sources back to your website? My blog is in the very same area of
interest as yours and my users would genuinely benefit from some of
the information you provide here. Please let me know if this okay with you.
Thank you!
Do you have a spam problem on this site; I also am a blogger, and I
was curious about your situation; we have created some nice methods
and we are looking to exchange methods with others, please shoot me an email if interested.
Thanks to my father who shared with me about this webpage, this website is truly awesome.
Hi, I do believe this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to come back
once again since I saved as a favorite it.
Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may
you be rich and continue to guide others.
I couldn’t refrain from commenting. Very well written!
Thanks for your marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading
it, you’re a great author. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will
eventually come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage one
to continue your great work, have a nice weekend!
It is not my first time to pay a quick visit this web site, i am browsing this
web site dailly and obtain fastidious data from here every day.
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought
this post was good. I do not know who you are but
definitely you’re going to a famous blogger if you aren’t
already 😉 Cheers!
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that
I have truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
After all I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
It’s awesome designed for me to have a web page,
which is helpful in favor of my experience. thanks admin
hello there and thank you for your info – I’ve certainly picked up something new from right
here. I did however expertise some technical issues using
this web site, as I experienced to reload the site many times previous to I could get it to load properly.
I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK?
Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and could damage your high quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords.
Well I’m adding this RSS to my email and can look out for a
lot more of your respective intriguing content.
Make sure you update this again very soon.
Greetings! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche.
Your blog provided us valuable information to work on.
You have done a extraordinary job!
Greetings, I do believe your site could be having web browser compatibility problems.
When I take a look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in Internet Explorer,
it’s got some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to give you a quick heads
up! Other than that, great website!
Hi to every , for the reason that I am actually eager of
reading this weblog’s post to be updated daily.
It contains pleasant information.
What’s up to all, how is the whole thing, I think every one is getting more from this
site, and your views are good in favor of new people.
Have you ever thought about writing an e-book or guest authoring on other
sites? I have a blog based on the same information you discuss
and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would appreciate your work.
If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me
an e-mail.
Great beat ! I wish to apprentice whilst you amend your website, how
could i subscribe for a blog web site? The account helped
me a applicable deal. I were tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast provided vivid transparent concept
Wonderful beat ! I wish to apprentice at the same time as
you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog website?
The account helped me a appropriate deal. I have been a little bit familiar of this your
broadcast offered shiny transparent concept
Everything is very open with a clear clarification of the challenges.
It was truly informative. Your site is extremely helpful.
Thanks for sharing!
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for
your blog. You have some really good articles
and I feel I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d
absolutely love to write some articles for your blog in exchange for a link
back to mine. Please blast me an e-mail if interested.
Thanks!
I am no longer certain where you’re getting your info, however good topic.
I must spend some time learning more or understanding more.
Thank you for excellent information I used to be searching for this info for my mission.
Hey very nice web site!! Guy .. Excellent .. Wonderful
.. I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds also?
I’m glad to find so many helpful information here in the publish, we need
work out more strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing.
. . . . .
Hi there, I enjoy reading all of your article post.
I like to write a little comment to support you.
I get pleasure from, result in I found just what
I was taking a look for. You have ended my 4 day lengthy hunt!
God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
naturally like your web site however you need to check the spelling
on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand
I’ll surely come back again.
You’re so awesome! I don’t think I’ve truly
read anything like this before. So nice to discover somebody with
a few genuine thoughts on this topic. Seriously..
thank you for starting this up. This website is one thing that is needed on the web, someone with a little originality!
Hi there, after reading this awesome paragraph i am too delighted to share my experience here
with mates.
My brother suggested I might like this blog.
He was totally right. This post actually made
my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this
info! Thanks!
Yes! Finally someone writes about website.
Yesterday, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and tested
to see if it can survive a 25 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is
now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I
had to share it with someone!
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new
scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with valuable info to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be thankful
to you.
So as to begin station trading, you have to turn into very
aware of the market window. With on daily basis passing away, there is some or
the new novelty in the field of laptops that keep on getting available in the market.
The sued laptops have gotten more of a vogue as a result of it allows an individual
to get a few of the best techniques inside their budget. That
is the simplest thing you can do to repair the keys in your keyboard and the best place to begin. Find a cheap keyboard from any retail outlet and simply take apart the brand
new keyboard, pull the keys off the laptop computer keyboard, lay
the plastic piece on prime and change your keys. Replace the inside of the keyboard with
a brand new piece. So before throwing away that damaged laptop keyboard repair it, or get it repaired as a result of it can most likely be
easier and cheaper than you think. Please learn under and remember, you will get spare components from all the massive manufacturers (Toshiba, Apple, Sony Vaio, Fujitsu, HP, Acer, Compaq)
on-line or from local repair retailers for decrease prices than the
manufacturers.
I was recommended this blog through my cousin. I am not positive whether or
not this submit is written by him as no one else understand such precise approximately my problem.
You’re incredible! Thanks!
I’d like to find out more? I’d love to find out more details.
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular post!
It’s the little changes which will make the largest changes.
Many thanks for sharing!
Awesome issues here. I am very happy to look your post.
Thanks a lot and I am looking forward to contact you.
Will you kindly drop me a mail?
I’m gone to convey my little brother, that he should also pay a visit this website on regular basis to
take updated from newest gossip.
Very energetic article, I enjoyed that bit. Will there be
a part 2?
It’s nearly impossible to find educated people on this topic, however, you sound like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
My coder is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP.
I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses.
But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using
Movable-type on various websites for about a year
and am nervous about switching to another platform.
I have heard fantastic things about blogengine.net.
Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into it?
Any kind of help would be greatly appreciated!
Hi terrific website! Does running a blog such as this require a
great deal of work? I have very little understanding of computer programming but I had been hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyways, should you have any recommendations or tips for new blog
owners please share. I understand this is off subject but I just had to ask.
Kudos!
You actually make it appear so easy with your presentation but I find this topic
to be really something that I think I might never understand.
It sort of feels too complex and very extensive for me. I am taking a look ahead for your next
submit, I’ll attempt to get the cling of it! Escape room lista
I am really thankful to the holder of this site who has shared this wonderful paragraph at
at this time.
If some one wishes to be updated with most up-to-date technologies
therefore he must be pay a quick visit this web page and be up to date all the time.
hello!,I like your writing very so much! proportion we communicate more about your post on AOL?
I require an expert on this space to solve my problem. Maybe that is you!
Having a look ahead to look you.
Hello there, You’ve done a great job. I’ll certainly digg it and
personally suggest to my friends. I am sure they’ll be benefited from this web site.
I was curious if you ever considered changing the page layout of your
website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to
say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so
people could connect with it better. Youve
got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images.
Maybe you could space it out better?
I do believe all of the ideas you have introduced for your post.
They’re really convincing and will certainly work.
Still, the posts are very short for beginners. May just you please extend them a bit from subsequent
time? Thanks for the post.
always i used to read smaller content which as well clear their motive, and that is also happening with this
article which I am reading at this place.
I for all time emailed this blog post page to all my friends,
as if like to read it after that my friends will too.
Hi, i believe that i noticed you visited my site so i got here to return the desire?.I’m trying to find issues
to improve my website!I suppose its ok to use some of your
concepts!!
Its such as you learn my thoughts! You appear to know so much about this, like
you wrote the ebook in it or something. I believe that you simply can do with some
% to force the message house a little bit, but instead of that,
this is wonderful blog. A great read. I will
certainly be back.
Magnificent goods from you, man. I have keep in mind your stuff prior to and you
are just extremely magnificent. I really like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you are saying and
the way in which you assert it. You’re making it enjoyable and you still care for to stay it smart.
I cant wait to learn far more from you. That is actually a wonderful web site.
Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the web
the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly do not know about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side-effects
, people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more.
Thanks
Excellent, what a webpage it is! This web site gives helpful information to us, keep it
up.
Hey, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility
issues. When I look at your website in Ie, it looks fine but when opening
in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted
to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, very good blog!
I have read so many posts about the blogger lovers but this
post is in fact a pleasant paragraph, keep it up.
I do consider all the ideas you have presented for your post.
They’re very convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts
are very short for beginners. May you please lengthen them a bit from subsequent time?
Thank you for the post.
Hey! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give
a quick shout out and tell you I genuinely enjoy reading your posts.
Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same topics?
Thank you so much!
Hey superb blog! Does running a blog like this take a
lot of work? I’ve very little expertise in coding however I had been hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyway, if you have any recommendations or tips for
new blog owners please share. I know this is off topic
however I just needed to ask. Thanks a lot!
Hi there, of course this post is in fact good and I have learned lot of
things from it concerning blogging. thanks.
Ahaa, its nice discussion concerning this article at this place at this weblog, I have read all that, so now me also commenting here.
Highly energetic article, I enjoyed that a lot. Will there
be a part 2?
We are a gaggle of volunteers and starting a brand new scheme in our community.
Your web site offered us with valuable info to work on.
You’ve performed an impressive job and our entire community will probably be
grateful to you.
I read this post fully regarding the difference of hottest and previous technologies, it’s amazing article.
Great post. I’m facing some of these issues as well..
I’m really loving the theme/design of your web site. Do you ever run into any internet browser
compatibility issues? A small number of my blog readers have complained about my website not operating
correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari. Do you
have any solutions to help fix this problem?
I have fun with, lead to I discovered exactly what I
was having a look for. You’ve ended my four day lengthy hunt!
God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
I am sure this paragraph has touched all the internet users, its really
really pleasant piece of writing on building up new blog.
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a
doubt donate to this outstanding blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
I look forward to brand new updates and will share this blog with my Facebook group.
Chat soon!
Hi there! This article could not be written much better!
Going through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
He always kept preaching about this. I am going to send
this post to him. Fairly certain he’ll have a
great read. Thank you for sharing!
Hey! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d
ask. Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog article
or vice-versa? My site addresses a lot of the same subjects as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each
other. If you are interested feel free to send me an email.
I look forward to hearing from you! Fantastic blog by the way!
I’m curious to find out what blog system you’re working with?
I’m having some small security issues with my latest site and I would like to
find something more secure. Do you have any solutions?
Fastidious answer back in return of this query with solid arguments and telling all about that.
I’ve read some good stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting.
I surprise how so much effort you place to create the sort of great informative web
site.
It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
I have read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few interesting things or tips.
Perhaps you could write next articles referring to
this article. I desire to read more things about it!
What’s up all, here every person is sharing these know-how,
so it’s fastidious to read this weblog, and I used to
pay a quick visit this weblog daily.
It’s difficult to find knowledgeable people for this topic, however, you sound like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
I believe everything said made a great deal of
sense. However, what about this? suppose you wrote a catchier
title? I am not saying your information isn’t solid, however what if you added a title to possibly get
folk’s attention? I mean ‘Charlie Says’ a sympathetic study of
Manson family cult victims – FF2 Media is kinda boring.
You could peek at Yahoo’s front page and see how they write news headlines
to grab people to open the links. You might try adding a video or a pic or two to grab readers interested about what you’ve written. In my opinion, it could bring
your posts a little bit more interesting.
Hi, just wanted to tell you, I liked this article.
It was helpful. Keep on posting!
Heya! I realize this is somewhat off-topic however I needed to ask.
Does operating a well-established website like yours take a
large amount of work? I’m completely new to operating a blog
but I do write in my journal daily. I’d like to start a blog
so I can share my personal experience and thoughts online.
Please let me know if you have any kind of recommendations or tips for brand new aspiring blog
owners. Thankyou!
Feel free to visit my homepage สล็อตเว็บตรง
You need to take part in a contest for one of the best blogs
on the net. I’m going to recommend this website!
There’s just one person I can consider who possesses a unique mixture of patriotism,
intellect, likeability, and a confirmed track record of
getting stuff completed below tough circumstances (snakes, Nazis, “unhealthy dates”).
Depending on the product availability, an individual can both go to
a neighborhood store to see which models are in inventory
or compare costs online. Now that the frame has these settings installed, it
connects to the Internet once more, this time using the native dial-up quantity, to obtain the images you posted to the Ceiva site.
Again, equal to the digicam on a flip phone digicam. Unless after all you need to
use Alexa to manage the Aivo View, whose commands the digital camera absolutely helps.
Otherwise, the Aivo View is a superb 1600p entrance sprint cam with built-in GPS, as
well as above-common day and evening captures and Alexa support.
Their shifts can fluctuate an important deal — they could work a day shift on one day and a night shift later in the week.
Although the awesome power of handheld gadgets makes them irresistible,
this nice new product is not even remotely sized to suit your palm.
Hello, its fastidious post about media print, we all know media is
a fantastic source of data.
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to
be actually something that I think I would never understand.
It seems too complex and very broad for me. I am looking forward for
your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
What’s up Dear, are you in fact visiting this site regularly, if so after that you will absolutely
take good knowledge.
Hello there, I do believe your website may be having internet browser compatibility problems.
Whenever I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening
in IE, it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to give you a
quick heads up! Other than that, great blog!
you are really a good webmaster. The web site loading speed is amazing.
It kind of feels that you are doing any unique trick.
Furthermore, The contents are masterwork. you have done a excellent activity on this topic!
Very interesting details you have mentioned, thank you for putting up..
I like this web blog it’s a master piece! Glad I noticed
this on google. Euro travel
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and amusing, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is an issue that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy I came across this during my hunt for something regarding this.
It’s difficult to find educated people on this topic, however, you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
Right here is the right web site for everyone who wishes to understand this topic. You understand a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a subject that has been written about for ages. Great stuff, just great.
Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with SEO?
I’m trying to get my website to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very
good gains. If you know of any please share. Thank you!
I saw similar blog here: Eco blankets
sugar defender Discovering Sugar Defender has actually been a game-changer for me, as
I’ve constantly been vigilant concerning handling my blood glucose levels.
With this supplement, I really feel empowered to organize my
wellness, and my latest medical check-ups have mirrored a considerable turnaround.
Having a trustworthy ally in my edge provides me with a
sense of security and confidence, and I’m deeply glad for the profound difference Sugar Defender has made in my wellness.
sugar defender Discovering Sugar Defender has actually been a game-changer for me,
as I have actually constantly been vigilant regarding handling my blood sugar levels.
I now really feel empowered and certain in my capability
to maintain healthy levels, and my newest checkup have
actually reflected this progression. Having a trustworthy supplement to complement my
a significant resource of comfort, and I’m truly happy for the substantial distinction Sugar Defender has made in my overall well-being.