David Pierdomenico
The subject of one of the most infamous murder cases in US history, Lizzie Borden has always been a figure of fascination. Yet, other than being involved (allegedly) with an axe murder, very few people know her story. It’s been told in a few TV movies in the past, but never a mainstream wide release…until now. Does Lizzie do the titular character justice, or does it butcher her story worse than her father and stepmother?
Crime of the Century
Had the 24 hour news cycle existed in 1892, there’s no doubt that Lizzie Borden would have been the focus for days following the morning of August 4th. In an act of brutal violence, Andrew and Abby Borden were found dead; their faces unrecognizable due to the dismembering via hatchet. Notably, this was only the second time in history that photographs of a crime scene were taken for forensic purposes (the first being Jack the Ripper victims in London). The police investigation led them to arrest and try their daughter Lizzie for the grisly crime.
In addition to being at the house, and having no other alibi, Lizzie (along with her sister Emma) stood to gain a great deal. Abby was in fact their stepmother, and Lizzie reportedly resented that Andrew was spending a great deal of money on Abby’s family to house them. All the while, he was refusing to pay for such “luxuries” as electricity or a toilet for their own house. The fact that Abby died first is also very suspicious. Had Andrew died first, his money would have passed to her, then her family if she died. However, because she was already dead when Andrew was murdered, his entire fortune passed to Lizzie and Emma. Despite overwhelming evidence against her, she was found not guilty as the jury did not believe that a woman was capable of such a heinous act (clearly they had never read up on Lady MacBeth).
Getting the Tone Right
Unlike the 2014 Lifetime film, Lizzie Borden Took an Axe, this adaptation plays less like a music video at times, and portrays a bleak existence for the entire Borden family. Early on, the audience’s window into the dysfunctional family is through the eyes of their new maid, Bridget Sullivan (Kristen Stewart). She quickly forms a bond with Lizzie (Chloë Sevigny) as she suffers at best indifference from Emma (Kim Dickens) and Abby (Fiona Shaw), and at worst sexual abuse from Andrew (Jamey Sheriden). It does an excellent job of portraying the Borden house as a powder keg that was just waiting to explode.
Sevigny gives a conflicted and brilliant performance, as always. Not to be outdone, Stewart has some pretty solid acting skills. She’s unfairly been judged by her appearances in the Twilight series, but with a compelling script and good direction, she can really shine. Despite all this however, it does feel like Emma was criminally underused. Kim Dickens is a great actress and the film chose to focus more on the relationship between Lizzie and Bridget, rather than Lizzie and Emma, which might have seemed more fitting. In an interesting twist, Lizzie herself is portrayed as far more sympathetic than ever before. The previously mentioned Lifetime film had Christina Ricci play the historical figure as extremely manipulative, pathological, and downright sociopathic. In this film however, we see a Lizzie that reluctantly went down a very dark path in order to escape cruel treatment and a terrible fate. Overall it’s well-acted, shot beautifully, and while it is slowly paced at times, it all serves to build tension.
Conflicting with History
In any historical drama, there’s a natural level of creative liberties that are going to be taken. Sometimes what really happened in history isn’t always the most interesting or dramatic. However, this film may take these a bit too far. It’s understandable to want to make the protagonist as relatable and sympathetic as possible. Yet, this film goes out of its way to alter history in order to make Lizzie look as innocent as possible.
It all seems incredibly one sided. Andrew is portrayed as a raging, sexually abusive lunatic, of which is there is no historical record of. Lizzie’s dark deeds are then portrayed as necessary reactions to an escalation that she never wanted. We also see a romantic relationship develop between Lizzie and Bridget, which again, there is no historical evidence to support. It’s definitely a well-made film, but it perhaps would have been better to show Lizzie as not totally evil, but not completely innocent either. Gray areas are far more compelling than black and white.
The Legend that Lives On
Due to the public’s grim fascination with things like murder, and the paranormal, the legend of Lizzie Borden remains very alive today. This adaptation does certain things well, as do others. And it will very likely not be the last time her story is shown on screen. The mythos is so popular that the Borden family home is now a Bed & Breakfast in Fall River, MA. It’s quite the experience that I can personally attest to, as I visited there in October 2016. If you’re ever in that area, feel free to stop by for a historical tour, or even spend the night…if you dare!
