Boston Strangler

My Review- Boston Strangler My Rating 7/10 Streaming on Disney This very interesting story is not a remake of any of the previous movie or television adaptations about the horrific murders of at least 11 women from the Boston area between 1962 and 1964. It's the untold story of the unsung heroines two reporters Loretta McLaughlin played by Keira Knightly and Jean Cole played by Carrie Coon. These two women were the first to link the murders of at least 11 women in the Boston area between in the early 1960's to one man known as The Boston Strangler by examining the evidence and the similarities in each case . They worked as women reporters for The Record American Newspaper later The Boston Globe who were assigned to cover "women's stories " fashion and social events while their male colleagues got the real tough news stories of the day. Loretta is first to request that she be assigned to cover the murders after she discovers the link but is road blocked by her boss until she is taken seriously. Later her more experienced colleague Jean is assigned to cover the story with her which at first Loretta resents . This movie is not a crime thriller that part of the story has been told before . Of course it covers the background of these horrific crimes but the emphasis is on the two women reporters and the obstacles that the Police and their own bosses put up to hinder their investigation. The Police investigation was shoddy to say the least and the magazine bosses didn't think the women were capable enough to report such a great story. Keira Knightley is impressive as the determined Loretta who is trying to balance her home life with her career and Carrie Coon is equally impressive as the more worldly Jean who Loretta at first resents as this is her story. Boston Strangler is not a great film but it's an interesting well acted and well produced. I found the mood a bit somber and thought it needed a bit of a jolt here and there . I found the sepia dark tones a little depressing but as the end credits rolled around the importance of this story became obvious these women were pioneering as far as journalism was concerned. Matt Ruskin wrote the screenplay and directed the film . I just wondered if a different director may have elevated Boston Strangler to greater heights. It lacked the impact for me of the recent Maria Schrader movie She Said also about 2 courageous women journalists however it's well worth a look at.

I love Keira Knightley as an actress in many other movies, but somehow she didnt shine in this role as a female journalist unravelling a serial murder mystery. The bad: this movie is simply going through the motions. No surprises. No spark or punch. No real thrill. No originality. Everything about this serial killer movie has been done better by others before... More bad: it has got an annoyingly heavy soundtrack, that must constantly remember me as a viewer, that now THIS scene and now THAT scene is ominous and spooky. When it's no such thing. Bummer! Not any good? Honestly, I have been critisizing this movie but it's not a terrible movie, merely a rather BLAND and BORING one. Similar to many other reviewers on Imdb, I also had many flashbacks of the brilliant movie called "The Zodiac" (2007). Go watch THAT movie instead of this formula failed COPYCAT flick! "The Zodiac" (2007) is HIGHLY recommended by me and by many other true fans of this genre!