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Fallen Star Reporter Gets Caught Up In Powerful Mind Game In "True Story"

DETROIT (WWJ) - "True Story" follows the life-changing events surrounding the dismissal of former New York Times reporter Michael Finkel, who was fired from his high-powered position in 2002. Finkel was dismissed when the paper discovered that he had stretched the truth in a Times Magazine cover story he wrote on contemporary slave trading in Africa.

After his firing, Finkel's life took another unexpected turn after he received a phone call from a newspaper reporter in Oregon informing him that a man who had been accused of murdering his wife and two kids -- and under arrest in Mexico -- had been posing as him. That man was Christian Longo, who would tell his story to only one person while he awaited trial, and that person was Finkel. Finkel, who was looking to resurrect his career, is easily drawn to the charming and persuasive Longo.

True Story

It's easy to see why Finkel would want so much to believe Longo's side of the story. It's also easy to see Finkel's disappointment become painfully clear when it becomes apparent that he is little more than a pawn in Longo's self-absorbed game.

Jonah Hill delivers an admirable performance as Finkel; first as the successful Times reporter at the top of this game, and later as the former globetrotting newsman seeking redemption.

James Franco is convincing as the cool and conniving Longo; so cool in fact, that you may even begin to understand how people like Longo are so successful when it comes to mind games.

Starring as Finkel's partner Jill is the very talented Felicity Jones, who turns her one up-close scene with Longo into one to be remembered.

felicity jones
Felicity Jones as "Jill Finkel" in TRUE STORY. Photos by Mary Cybulski. Copyright © 2015 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation All Rights Reserved.

See you at the movies!

Be sure to tune in to WWJ Newsradio 950 every Friday at 2:40pm for my weekly look at the movies with Midday Anchor Jackie Paige.

Follow Terri on Twitter @TerriJLee

Member:
Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA)
Detroit Film Critics Society (DFCS)
African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA)
Digital Arts, Film & Television (DAFT)
National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)

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