Unfortunately, all the fine work being done by Hill and Franco is, in effect, bulldozed by Goold and David Kajganich's screenplay...

| Jan 20, 2021

Mind games, poetic symbolism, moving observations, and humorous notes compose an utterly mesmerizing script.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Dec 4, 2020

It's a worthy addition to the true crime genre -- even if it leaves viewers questioning the meaning of "true."

| Jan 9, 2020

After the title is shown, the movie begins an unfortunate, gradual, steady decline.

| Dec 11, 2019

To see this story and these individuals played out by James Franco as Chris Longo and Jonah Hill as Michael Finkel is delicious...an interesting tacit visual duality/split screen at play here that director Rupert Goold masterfully elicits.

| Dec 8, 2019

Doesn't feel like quite enough of a story, regardless of its purported truth.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 20, 2019

A meditation on the mindset of fabulists like James Frey or Stephen Glass? A gripping psychological thriller? A takedown of every writer's dream about a memorable memoir? A good movie? On all counts, True Story rings false.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jun 24, 2019

[The film's] minor misstep does little to take away from the film's impact on its viewers.

| Original Score: B+ | May 10, 2019

Franco is a curious presence on-screen and fans of his work will enjoy a more subdued performance, even though the payoff has meager results.

| Original Score: B- | Dec 8, 2018

the film is good; as a fictional story, however, it could have been incredible. Without the albatross of the true story, and some dramatic enhancements, the movie could go from good to great.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Nov 2, 2018

Overall the film is entertaining and absorbing, leaving the theater I was struck by the fact that I wanted more.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Aug 30, 2018

With standout performances from both Hill and Franco, this well-written and deftly directed film is not to be missed.

| Aug 21, 2018

Franco... tries unsuccessfully to create tension and excitement around his character, achieving exactly the opposite. He looks as if he's reciting the telephone book. Hill, often a surprisingly fine actor, also dials in his performance.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Feb 14, 2018

Essentially, the results and ending of True Story will most likely frustrate viewers but there's no denying that James Franco and Jonah Hill deliver captivating performances

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 2, 2017

Both stars remain watchable throughout, Hill and Franco cast in cunning opposition to what their respective appearances might suggest.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 22, 2017

It's not the grim subject matter that is the problem, as much as its clumsy, mildly pretentious execution, coupled with some nigh-on disastrous casting decisions.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Oct 30, 2017

[Goold] and his team do solid work keeping the movie from seeming stagey despite its focus on two characters talking to each other.

| Oct 12, 2017

True Story is completely missable.

| Oct 10, 2017

... True Story just never feels like it gets anywhere.

| Original Score: D | Sep 1, 2017

Sadly, it is the viewer who spots such truths early on, observing the rest of the film from a cold distance.

| Original Score: C- | Aug 16, 2017