The Lizzie Borden Chronicles

You can barely hear the dialogue in this above the director screaming "LOOK AT WHAT I CAN DO! LOOK AT ME!!" Was he confused in thinking he was directing a rap video? He's about as subtle in attempting to get a mood across as if hitting the viewer with a sledgehammer. Maybe the story was weak and he was trying to keep anyone from following it. Every possible technique that directors use-again- subtly to draw you in is used without abandon. Used a few times you're drawn in- used every second in 1 hour and it's a mess. In fact, it's all I think about instead of the story. Usually this is seen in first time directors, but this guy has done some good work- what in the world happened? As for the story, "based on fact". I really doubt it. I'm no expert on Lizzy Borden but I've never read of any suspicious disappearances around her. She killed once, probably, but that's about it from what I've heard.

The plot started out well but I found the story grew over involved and dramatized to ridiculous lengths. I did not care for the choice of leading lady, Christina Ricci and felt she pulled away from the true character of a person who would be in that position by over dramatizing the character and the series would have faired well if the role had been played by someone who showed more emotion in their eyes and less threat of "constant in your face" attitude". I feel little effort was made. Her elements did not blend well. I did like the rest of the cast. I personally loved the music choices and felt the filming was done well despite some lengthy dark scenes. I thought Miss Duvall did an excellent job and fit the part. This is just my opinion. We are all entitled and the next persons opinion could be totally different. I lived with a person whose personality was flawed like Lizzies and they tend to see saw their personalities. This portrayal was too straight and narrow with little shift. If they do a new season, I hope she works on her part a little more. I know it was tough, but it was the leading role. Beauty only goes so far.

Ricci's portrayal of Lizzie Borden is captivating enough to give the first episode a shot; and if you like it the series only gets better... second episode you get to see Mike from Breaking Bad! (Johnathon Banks). Not to mention the lovely DuVall.

Great writing, well paced, jammed packed every episode, with hints of dexter-like moments... and Ricci is still just as easy to fall in love with even as a demented sociopath murderer.

In her own world, it's almost as if Borden sees herself as a vigilante. As deranged as Lizzie is, she refuses to ever be a victim- through her confidence, indifference to what anyone says or thinks about her, her incredible wit, and by her flawless ability to adapt her demeanor based on the situation. Fascinating to see life in her eyes.

Ricci's best role since 'black snake moan'...

(side note- disregard complaints about the music, some of the score is modern/relatable to viewers.. adds an edgy twist.. so what if the music is not from that time period? )

Although I was intrigued with the series and there were some nice psychological thriller / supernatural stirrings in the first episode, I quickly got bored of Christina Ricci's one dimensional acting. She seems to have only one setting: unreflective sociopath mode. The script would have benefited greatly from a more complex and nuanced character. Clea DuVall, playing Lizzie's sister Emma, has far more depth and subtlety. Meanwhile, all the bad men are unremittingly bad, cardboard cut-out villains. Cole Hauser's Siringo is suffering from a serious charisma deficit.

Although I'm not adverse to gore, it is being used instead of better scriptwriting as a way to segue into new scenes. It quickly started feeling like an obvious device. I found a lot of the dialogue far too modern. Again, Ricci's very flat, clipped delivery pulls it out of period.

Meanwhile, the props department should have done a better job with their historical research. The flashlight, used by Hauser in his exploration of the schoolhouse, was not invented until 1899 - when the dry cell battery became available.

All of these flaws would not have rendered the series unbearable. It was the soundtrack that fundamentally ruined it for me. There have been series and films that pair historical settings with contemporary music to excellent effect. The Knick (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2937900/?ref_=nv_sr_1) is set in basically the same time period and uses very atmospheric, very modern abstract electronic music throughout the series and manages to make it work superbly well. The choice of music for this series - both the incidental music that was over-dramatic and bombastic as well as the bits and pieces of contemporary rock - became a real distraction that served to distance me emotionally from the episodes. Especially the indie rock with vocals.

It feels like a low budget, Baz Lurman series with more gore and fewer Hollywood stars.

Superb Series! It comes on too late for me to stay up and watch, so I record it and watch it the next evening. And, I plan to watch them over and over again. I love this Series, and unlike a few others, I love the Soundtrack. The music makes it fresher (more today). My only complaint (and hence the 9 stars instead of 10) is the camera jerking. It is done way too often for me. Hopefully this is not a one-season Series because I am so sick of reality TV I could scream. The cast, for the most part, is pretty terrific. As far as blood and gore, well - the Series is called The Lizzie Borden Chronicles after all. I had no prior knowledge of the Lizzie Borden case, so am not biased as to fact or otherwise, and just truly find this Series a much needed breath of fresh air for TV viewers. Please watch and help keep this Series on for years to come!