Strange But True is a finely acted drama and sufficiently directed film, but it’s also rather dull and includes a twist that seems straight out of a Lifetime Movie.
Strange But True
(2019)
Genre(s): Drama, Thriller
Lionsgate | PG13 – 96 min. – $21.99 | October 22, 2019
Date Published: 10/29/2019 | Author: The Movieman
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Lionsgate provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this Blog Post.
The opinions I share are my own.
THE MOVIE — 2.75/5 |
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Plot Synopsis: It’s been five years since high schooler Ronnie Chase (CONNOR JESSUP) died in a tragic accident. But the shock of his death is reignited when his ex-girlfriend, Melissa (MARGARET QUALLEY), visits Ronnie’s mother (AMY RYAN) and brother (NICK ROBINSON), and tells them she believes she’s pregnant with Ronnie’s child. Ronnie’s family tries to dismiss Melissa’s incredible claim — and is plunged into a web of lies, fears, and unrelenting suspense. Quick Hit Review: Strange But True, based on a best-selling novel, has a respectable cast and some fine performances particularly by the always reliable Amy Ryan as well as Nick Robinson and Margaret Qualley, but the story isn’t anything noteworthy and the twist coming straight out of a Lifetime network film. Directed by Rowan Athale (Wasteland), while not great, I’d say Strange But True still worthy of a rental, though don’t expect some nail-biting thriller as it’s more in line of a slow burn of a film more than anything. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 2.0/5 |
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This release comes with a semi-glossy slip cover and redemption code for the Digital HD copy. Only feature included is Grounded in Reality: Making Strange But True (16:15) with some behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and director. |
VIDEO – 4.0/5 |
| Lionsgate releases Strange But True onto Blu-ray presented with a 2.39 widescreen aspect ratio and a 1080p high-definition transfer. Picture quality is decent though nothing I’d consider incredible, but still detail was relatively sharp while colors are toned down, perhaps in keeping with the dour subject matter, not only involving the death of a loved one but the abuse a young woman endured. |
AUDIO – 3.5/5 |
| The disc comes with a standard but effective DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is fine, but most of the movie is pretty much dialogue driven despite being called a “thriller”, though there was one scene in which a character is being chased through the woods. Otherwise, the bulk of the audio is centrally located. |
OVERALL – 2.75/5 |
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Overall, Strange But True is a finely acted drama and sufficiently directed film, but it’s also rather dull and includes a twist that seems straight out of a Lifetime Movie. I suspect this is another case where the depth novels bring cannot be translated into film form quite the same. |