This is the third iteration of this darkly grim story. It started as a news report and a long Rolling Stone investigation and was then the subject of a documentary and finally, this dramatization – by the maker of the documentary.
It is measured and gains much of its power by this degree of control that is shown – and its relative brevity is also powerful with the central character’s agonising very well conveyed, both by the actor and, generally, cinematically. There is also a direct focus on the unfolding of the central story and no time is spent on unnecessary scene-setting and digressions.
A grimly fine piece of work.