Right, well a lot of things could actually be said about this 2021 movie titled "Girl in the Basement" from writers Manu Boyer, Leslie Greif and Barbara Marshall.
First of all, this movie is based on the gruesome and grotesque events that transpired for 24 years in Austria. This is something that was shocking and disturbing once Josef Fritzl's secret was revealed and the captivity ended for his daughter and the children. But to me, a movie such as "Girl in the Basement" raised the question of whether something that vile and traumatizing should be made into a movie for entertainment. Is it crossing a line? And the answer to that is, of course, very individual to each and every viewer.
I sat down to watch the movie given the historic references to the actual Fritzl case and to see how director Elisabeth Röhm would handle the job of bringing such a tale of horror and abuse to life on the screen. If someone sits down to watch "Girl in the Basement" solely for the purpose of entertainment, then it is perhaps time to seek professional guidance and councelling.
Regardless, then I must say that director Elisabeth Röhm managed to turn the tragedy into a movie that actually is every bit entertaining as it is appalling. Watching this movie and knowing that it is based on true events, sort of left a foul taste in my mouth. Not because the movie was presented in a sleazy or distasteful manner or way, no, but because of the events that the movie is based upon. Sure, this movie does not portray the events to the full extend, but still...
I believe that "Girl in the Basement" is not a movie that is easily watched by just anyone in the audience, as it is a fairly psychologically harsh movie to sit through. So keep in mind what gruesome events this movie is based on.
Now, a movie such as "Girl in the Basement" is one that require some rather stalwart performances, and I must admit that I was surprised to see Judd Nelson in the role of the deranged father. And believe you me, he really carried the role quite well with a good performance - I am not condoning the actions of the father here, but merely giving praise to Judd Nelson's performance in the movie.
Being familiar with the actual case in Austria, then the living conditions as seen in the movie were not even remotely close to the cramped quarters in the subterranean dungeon of horror that the caged family was living in.
While "Girl in the Basement" is a tough movie to watch at times, then it is actually a movie that I think is something that people should sit down to watch. The events that transpired in Austria are just too grotesque and inhuman to be quietly forgotten.
My rating of "Girl in the Basement" lands on a six out of ten stars. While this is an Americanized version of the Fritzl case, and with certain events being slacked upon or changed, then there is still some importance to this horrific tale.
First of all, this movie is based on the gruesome and grotesque events that transpired for 24 years in Austria. This is something that was shocking and disturbing once Josef Fritzl's secret was revealed and the captivity ended for his daughter and the children. But to me, a movie such as "Girl in the Basement" raised the question of whether something that vile and traumatizing should be made into a movie for entertainment. Is it crossing a line? And the answer to that is, of course, very individual to each and every viewer.
I sat down to watch the movie given the historic references to the actual Fritzl case and to see how director Elisabeth Röhm would handle the job of bringing such a tale of horror and abuse to life on the screen. If someone sits down to watch "Girl in the Basement" solely for the purpose of entertainment, then it is perhaps time to seek professional guidance and councelling.
Regardless, then I must say that director Elisabeth Röhm managed to turn the tragedy into a movie that actually is every bit entertaining as it is appalling. Watching this movie and knowing that it is based on true events, sort of left a foul taste in my mouth. Not because the movie was presented in a sleazy or distasteful manner or way, no, but because of the events that the movie is based upon. Sure, this movie does not portray the events to the full extend, but still...
I believe that "Girl in the Basement" is not a movie that is easily watched by just anyone in the audience, as it is a fairly psychologically harsh movie to sit through. So keep in mind what gruesome events this movie is based on.
Now, a movie such as "Girl in the Basement" is one that require some rather stalwart performances, and I must admit that I was surprised to see Judd Nelson in the role of the deranged father. And believe you me, he really carried the role quite well with a good performance - I am not condoning the actions of the father here, but merely giving praise to Judd Nelson's performance in the movie.
Being familiar with the actual case in Austria, then the living conditions as seen in the movie were not even remotely close to the cramped quarters in the subterranean dungeon of horror that the caged family was living in.
While "Girl in the Basement" is a tough movie to watch at times, then it is actually a movie that I think is something that people should sit down to watch. The events that transpired in Austria are just too grotesque and inhuman to be quietly forgotten.
My rating of "Girl in the Basement" lands on a six out of ten stars. While this is an Americanized version of the Fritzl case, and with certain events being slacked upon or changed, then there is still some importance to this horrific tale.