The Girl from Plainville

I couldn't believe the mediocre star rating here! Gobsmacked.

Fanning, Sevingy and Ryan are superb.

The writing, interpretation and editing are subtle, intriguing, and genuinely thought provoking.

There is room allowed to have an individual opinion, with shades of grey to how Carter and other key characters and relationships are portrayed.

I didn't know much about the case, so with no preconceptions I could appreciate it as an original creation. Perhaps my opinion would change of the reality if I read court transcripts etc. But as a fictionalised television series there is much to appreciate.

I would honestly say it's only boring if you are someone who doesn't like deep thought or a more sustained and literary style of storytelling. Or indeed, anyone who hasn't grappled with mental heath issues or complicated psychological relationships.

The premise and storyline is good, but the horrible editing makes it seem like there is no continuity between the scenes. I don't know if it's the director's vision or scene editors were lazy or what.. transition between scenes seem very abrupt.

The flashbacks and the cuts to them "live" and together when they are just texting is very confusing. They jump around so much with little indication of where we are in the sequence of events. Acting is okay, I think Elle Fanning portrays Michelle pretty well. Could have been done in less episodes, I'm gonna power through to finish, but it drags a bit.

I was unfamiliar with the story on which this limited series is based, and have never seen the documentary that was referenced in some of the other reviews.

Chloe Sevigney gives an excellent performance as the bereaved mother. The actors playing the lead teen characters are doing a solid job portraying how teens with serious mental health issues actually behave.

Recommend.

Intriguing story. But so far pacing is terrible. A mini series off a few episodes would have sufficed. I am getting tired off over dramatized docuseries. I would have given it 4 stars but Chloe Sevigny is carrying the entire show. She's so good.