I can definitely appreciate subtlety in movies, but some key plot points were almost too subtle to catch if you didn’t already have some knowledge of the case. Some more exposition about Barbara’s jealousy, Brooks’ motives and Tony’s mental illness might have made the story and characters more compelling.
All in all, it’s a fine movie about a messed-up family, who will probably be profiled on truTV or A&E soon. As always, Julianne Moore is excellent and I’m sure she will be listed on some critics’ lists at the end of the year. In the season of popcorn movies with no complexity, many of us will welcome a movie with some.
Grade: B-
Savage Grace releases in select theaters June 13.