Devil's Knot (2013)

DEVIL'S KNOT is the film version of a true story about three boys who were brutally murdered in Arkansas in 1993. A public outcry and witch hunt followed, at which point three outcast teenagers were herded up and sent to court accused of the crime. In the subsequent years, many people have come to believe that the teenagers were innocent, and DEVIL'S KNOT explores some of the complexity of the case.Sadly it's a bit of a disappointing film. It's well shot throughout but that's all you get. The film seems overly distracted by the presence of Hollywood starlet Reese Witherspoon playing the mother of one of the victims. For a relatively minor character in the story she gets way too much screen time and spoils what could have otherwise been an enthralling viewing experience. I was much more interested in the characters of the accused but they seem skirted over in some ways.Another detraction is Colin Firth as the mild-mannered crime investigator. Firth is too occupied with trying to do an American accent than with properly acting and his subdued turn makes no impact. When the film finished I was just left wanting to know more about the case than in this somewhat sketchy version - perhaps to watch one of the documentaries which I'm sure exist about it. DEVIL'S KNOT is no MISSISSIPPI BURNING, that's for sure.

Devil's Knot is based on true events where in 1993, the bodies of three murdered boys were found by the river in Arkansas. In the midst of hysteria, the police suspected three teenagers who were into heavy metal music and satanic worship.Private investigator Ron Lax (Colin Firth) looks though the evidence as a legal team who represent the boys have to overcome a hostile town and a biased judge.Pam Hobbs (Reese Witherspoon) is the mother of one of the murdered boys but the way the case is conducted leaves her doubting the boys guilt.The film is based on a harrowing true life case of young boys being brutally killed. The film has a slant that the police did not properly investigate the case and the suspects never really had a chance of a fair trial. In a bible belt town these rebellious teenagers were seen as fair game.The film is anodyne and bland. The main suspects remain off screen a lot with a confusing narrative where there is lot of toing and froing of the timeline. It is really a court room drama where Lax is just a spectator, as he is not a lawyer.The film gives a hint of who could had been an alternate suspect. In reality it looks like there were several alternative suspects as this was an infamous case already covered in several books and documentaries.This was a complex case and the film could had followed alternative paths to tell their story. Despite good performances I feel both Firth and Witherspoon were wasted.

Not a bad movie for an afternoon watching. I enjoyed it quite a lot, though I must say that first third of the movie was kinda slow and uninteresting. Also, I thought that Reese's acting was totally and completely uninspired and unconvincing during the first half of the movie! I was really surprised how bad she was as usually she does movies justice - though, on the second thought, maybe only in comedies.Other father's and mother's of dead boys were also quite unconvincing. And some scenes were almost a joke. The main guilty one...thought that his acting was good and consistent throughout the movie. As for the Colin. He is OK, though his first appearance in the movie buying Napoleon's desk is what? What does have to do with the story or him? Based on a true story is in most cases - for me - very interesting from the start. This was no exception. And the ending ( and facts) leaves you speechless. But on the other hand, was glad to know that they did not kill the main suspect. Though, it also leaves the question: who killed the boys? If I understood correctly, it seems that it were their fathers? Eight from me.

This is based on the real story of the murder three boys in 1993 West Memphis, Arkansas. Pam (Reese Witherspoon) and Terry Hobbs (Alessandro Nivola) lose her son Stevie. Along with Christopher Byers, and Michael Moore, the boys are brutally murdered in a local wooded area called Devil's Knot. Jessie Misskelley confesses. Damien Echols and Jason Baldwin are implicated. All three teens are charged for the boy's murder with the police claiming a demonic ritual. Ron Lax (Colin Firth) is a private investigator who becomes obsessed and volunteers to help the defense.I understand the resistance to this movie but director Atom Egoyan faces some difficulties due to the real story. Most people would say that the real killer has never been found. While people who still claim that the 3 teens killed the boys would find this movie, like the documentaries, very bias. Atom could have faked a killer like Oliver Stone's JFK with the black man in Bojangles or Terry Hobbs. What he gives in this movie is doubt. The person that personifies this is Reese Witherspoon with her amazing performance. First, Atom is able to nail the overwhelming sadness like he did in 'The Sweet Hereafter'. I'm also impressed that Atom didn't go out of his way to demonize the police. The scene with Detective Bryn Ridge getting Pam Hobbs' hair is so powerful and shows the pressure of the job. It is easy for arm-chair jury members watching the docs to ridicule the real-life jury and hate the cops. What this movie shows is how reasonable people could be so wrong and how easy things like this could happen with some poor police work.