It’s my own damn fault for watching a movie of the week. Some Netflix mismanagement led me to this place: a three hour movie that reads like a “ripped from the headlines” episode of Law & Order, with all the re-enactments, time stamps, prosecution pow wows and even a teary eyed on the stand freak out courtesy of Charles Manson (played by Steve Railsback). All that’s missing is the gavel sound and Ice-T’s tiny ponytail (R.I.P. tinytail). The movie is based on the 1974 true crime novel Helter Skelter by Manson prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi but fails at capturing the same in-depth investigative approach. It’s ok by movie of the week standards but spends too much time on the horrific murders and the trial, yet not enough time examining the Manson family and the hypnotic relationship between Charlie and his doting followers. To add insult to insult to injury the title song is performed not by the Beatles but by a cover band. If you have the time I’d recccomend reading Bugliosi’s book instead or watching the amazing PBS documentary Jonestown: The Life and Death of the Peoples Temple. It’s a fascinating look at another cult and a devastating chapter in American culture.
