The first review is in. And it is not positive.
Lizzie Borden Took an Axe, premiering on Lifetime this Saturday night, stars Christina Ricci and tells the tale of the murders of Andrew and Abby Borden in Fall River in 1892.
The problem the NY Post critic seems to find is that it is loud and ordinary in its take on the murders. The film uses “raucous, heavy-metal soundtrack” and lots of slow-motion photography” which makes it have a more modern feeling but does not save the film from itself.
I am upset by this silliness: “When Emma leaves to visit a friend who’s just had a baby, we know something is about to happen at home . . . because it’s telegraphed by Lizzie: ‘Sometimes I have a feeling that something terrible is going to happen there,’ she says about the Borden house.”
Why change the truth of Emma’s absence from the home that fateful day? Emma was in Fairhaven visiting friends. No need to add the baby. This unnecessary change to the history of the case, even in this inconsequential way, will get ingrained in people’s minds as truth and they will then repeat it and repeat it, ad infinitum, as if it is fact. Thanks Lifetime.
On another note, believe it or not, there is not one Lizzie Borden Took an Axe party scheduled at any restaurant or bar in Fall River. No public event of any kind, as far as I can ascertain. I contacted Jerry Remy’s because they have the biggest TVs in town, but no response. I would think that would be a fun event for them to sponsor.
So Fall River really cares very little about itself, as evidenced by its ignoring its own history.
Oh well.
