Before watching it, I had some prior knowledge of the film “Shirley” (2020). It has received four awards, including Best Screenplay, Best Indie Film, and Best Author’s Film. The film’s description intrigued me:
“A famous horror writer finds inspiration for her next book after she and her husband take in a young couple.”
To avoid spoilers, I refrained from watching the trailer. I was initially unsure about the phrase “a young couple was taken away,” but my curiosity and interest in the film’s focus on a writer compelled me to start watching it.
It had been a while since I last watched a festival film, and the “copyright” note confused me initially. However, as the film neared its end, I grasped the meaning of this term and understood why it had received the aforementioned nominations.
“Shirley” (2020) is a tension-film that maintains a constant sense of anticipation and suspense from beginning to end, keeping viewers engaged until the credits roll.
The main characters are presented through lengthy shots, allowing for an extensive exploration of their personalities and providing ample opportunity for appreciating the cinematography and reflecting on one’s own thoughts. Despite this deliberate pacing, the film manages to maintain a steady momentum, with a plot that remains dynamic. I particularly enjoyed the balanced approach between a measured narrative and the progression of events.
A film about a writer
Another film centered around an author. On the day of viewing, it took the top spot on my list of films about writers, as it revolves entirely around the life of writer Shirley Jackson. The film offers a unique opportunity for viewers to delve not only into the environment where this literary genius exists but also into her mind—her thoughts, doubts, debates, and crises.
The movie expertly portrays the challenging and stressful lives of writers who become captives of their own works.
They live and breathe their stories, walking alongside their characters, experiencing every moment, and translating those experiences into words on paper, ultimately captivating readers.
If we step away from generalizations, “Shirley” (2020) is a biographical film about the real-life writer Shirley Jackson, whose talent was even recognized by Stephen King himself. She undeniably possessed a gift for writing, which earned her well-deserved popularity during her lifetime and even after her untimely death at the age of 48.
While I cannot vouch for the movie’s complete accuracy in depicting the events or the specific work it focuses on, I highly recommend it to anyone interested in literature or involved in the craft of writing.
Indie cinema
The film strikes a delicate balance between tranquility and tension, showcasing the director’s prowess. These contrasting elements engender my profound admiration for the film and its entire team. It’s challenging to find any weak aspects.
Everything is almost perfect here.
The reason I say “almost” is perhaps because I’m not an avid enthusiast of this particular genre, and thus I can’t fully appreciate this masterpiece. Additionally, the film does have its own drawback.
Limitation
The tape “Shirley” depicts the writer’s life, her environment, the process of creating a manuscript in great detail, successfully, richly. But such immersion significantly limits the overall space. It is as if the viewer is locked in a certain perimeter, beyond which he cannot leave, and later he does not want to. I am not very inspired by such a limitation, but I understand why they did it. Otherwise, concentration and attention are lost.
Limited themes, moods, dialogues, constant tension. This does not allow me to give this movie the maximum score. And this is not a bad signal, it’s just that such works are not for everyone, not for a wide range of viewers, but my assessments still claim a certain generality and demand.
Conclusions
Very atmospheric, intense tape. Successful work of the entire film crew. Kudos and respect to everyone involved in making this piece of art.
This is a movie about the famous writer Shirley Jackson. I recommend watching it to everyone who is interested in looking not only into the author’s room, but also into his (her) head.
The film scares, pushes you to face your fears and phobias. The film conducts an active dialogue with the viewer, so particularly sensitive people may not be able to withstand this tension.
I have a pleasant aftertaste from this movie, I got my share of pleasure, so:
My rating for the movie “Shirley” (2020) is 9 out of 10
