Nicely played out, the movie Strange But True is a drama thriller that takes some bizarre twists in its cruel fate for one family. If you like a mystery with some surprises along the way and in the finale, than this one throws a cure you’ll not see coming. Now on Blu-ray DVD and Digital HD, the home video also has a cool special feature.
It’s been five years since Melissa (Margaret Qualley) has left her home town and the trip back has brought her to the Chase’s front door. Phillip Chase (Nick Robinson), who’s convalescing with a broken leg, answers the door and is surprised to see Melissa who’s pregnant. She confronts his mother Charlene (Amy Ryan) telling her that it’s her son Ronnie’s (Connor Jessup) baby even though he has been dead since Melissa left.
The eerie tale goes on from there with Melissa trying to prove that it’s Ronnie’s child even bringing a tape of the recording between her and a spiritualist. Director Rowan Athale keeps his story moving along introducing the main characters early on and working them into the story. It’s more of a drama about relationships and a bit of romance with a mystery. Three quarters of the way through however, everything starts to unravel and the consequences begin, including the unthinkable missing pieces.
The whole cast does a terrific job of pulling off the mystery and although most of the clues are there, it’s not enough to solve it till the very end. As the bewildered Melissa, Margaret Qualley keeps her character convincing as she tries to get Ronnie’s mother to believe her. Amy Ryan’s Charlene is not having it and you follow her character as she runs into roadblocks that may involve her ex-husband Ricard played by Greg Kinner. I like the way Ryan handles her character making Charlene a judge and jury as she tries to sort it all out.
Strange But True has been rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements, some violence, suggestive material and brief strong language. The title is a bit misleading as there is no indication by the filmmaker that his story is TRUE.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Does play out well even though it’s a tug of war to keep it all in perspective. (3 out of 4 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Amy Ryan, Nick Robinson, Margaret Qualley, Mena Massoud, Blythe Danner, Brian Cox, Greg Kinnear
Director: Rowan Athale
From Novel by: John Searles
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic elements, some violence, suggestive material and brief strong language
Genre: Thriller
Running Time: 1 hr.36 min.
Video Release Date: October 22, 2019
Original Theatrical Release Date: September 12, 2019
Language: English
Reviewed Format: Blu-ray
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Video: 1080p HD, Widescreen 16×9, Aspect Ratio 2.39:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: Lionsgate
Released on: Blu-ray, DVD, Digital HD Code
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
