That quote by Edgar Allen Poe appears in the opening of this film for a reason. It's very sad that many people are completely oblivious to what Daniel Farrands, writer and director of this remarkable film, was trying to convey. Many people have been giving the film negative reviews without much thought.
First of all, unlike what many people assume, this was NOT an attempt to exploit nor be insensitive to the Tate Murder victims. Nor was it a cheap attempt to turn the tragic Tate Murders into a slasher horror movie. The truth is in fact the exact opposite.
Daniel Farrands wanted to portray the Tate Murders on a much deeper, spiritual, literary, and emotional level than many of you think - while also being faithful and respectful to the victims. The title should give you a hint, but many people unfortunately overlooked it.
According to Farrands, the entire film actually takes place in Purgatory. From the moment Sharon Tate and Jay Sebring pull up to her house, she and all her friends are earthbound spirits. It's as if they are in a loop or a dimension trying to make sense of such a senseless crime. A small hint is when Sharon asks, "Did you know Cielo means 'heaven' in Spanish?" Sharon's "visions" and prophetic dreams are actually memories of how they all died. So in spirit form, she felt empowered and compelled to take control this time and to have upper hand of the Manson family. It's a very powerful and wishful portrayal of what "could" have happened that tragic August night.
When Sharon and her friends finally regain control, "survive", and walk towards the afterlife, she stops and sees the bodies of her friends and herself. She realizes they've been dead all along and been living in an alternate reality. Now aware of what's happened, she cradles her baby in her arms and is finally able to move on. So yes, the plot plays out on a much deeper, literary, and philosophical note in which Farrands envisioned for the victims. I honestly do not understand the hate this film has been receiving; it really baffles me.
I was aware long before that Sharon Tate had premonitions of her and her friends' deaths before they happened, and I'm so glad someone finally put it into context. Farrands had nothing but positive, pure, and respectful intentions for the victims and wanted to portray their story in a spiritual and personable light.
I and many people who DO understand the film find it to be a very emotional, suspenseful, effective, and unique yet faithful take on the Tate Murders. Hilary Duff's acting is very powerful and determined, and she conforms into the role of a modern Sharon Tate very well. The pacing is great, the actors have great chemistry together, and the soundtrack creates the perfect mood. Also very importantly, Farrands truly captured the ruthless horror and terror attached to this crime exceptionally well throughout the film.
Farrands is really a perfectionist director and he pays attention to detail, right down to exactly what the victims wore that night. He also had so much respect for the victims that he excluded the names of Manson's two female followers for the end credits and used their fictitious cult names instead. That should show you the degree to how much he wanted to have this film focus solely on Sharon Tate and her loved ones, stay true to that focus, and give them the respect they sincerely deserve.
So the next time you bash and hate on a great film, please be fully aware of the plot's true nature, the maker's intentions, and what they're trying to do. In this case, writer and director Daniel Farrands had the best of intentions and wanted to do nothing less than pay a unique, in-depth, and spiritual tribute to the lives of Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, and Steven Parent - and the remarkable people they were.
Excellent film.
First of all, unlike what many people assume, this was NOT an attempt to exploit nor be insensitive to the Tate Murder victims. Nor was it a cheap attempt to turn the tragic Tate Murders into a slasher horror movie. The truth is in fact the exact opposite.
Daniel Farrands wanted to portray the Tate Murders on a much deeper, spiritual, literary, and emotional level than many of you think - while also being faithful and respectful to the victims. The title should give you a hint, but many people unfortunately overlooked it.
According to Farrands, the entire film actually takes place in Purgatory. From the moment Sharon Tate and Jay Sebring pull up to her house, she and all her friends are earthbound spirits. It's as if they are in a loop or a dimension trying to make sense of such a senseless crime. A small hint is when Sharon asks, "Did you know Cielo means 'heaven' in Spanish?" Sharon's "visions" and prophetic dreams are actually memories of how they all died. So in spirit form, she felt empowered and compelled to take control this time and to have upper hand of the Manson family. It's a very powerful and wishful portrayal of what "could" have happened that tragic August night.
When Sharon and her friends finally regain control, "survive", and walk towards the afterlife, she stops and sees the bodies of her friends and herself. She realizes they've been dead all along and been living in an alternate reality. Now aware of what's happened, she cradles her baby in her arms and is finally able to move on. So yes, the plot plays out on a much deeper, literary, and philosophical note in which Farrands envisioned for the victims. I honestly do not understand the hate this film has been receiving; it really baffles me.
I was aware long before that Sharon Tate had premonitions of her and her friends' deaths before they happened, and I'm so glad someone finally put it into context. Farrands had nothing but positive, pure, and respectful intentions for the victims and wanted to portray their story in a spiritual and personable light.
I and many people who DO understand the film find it to be a very emotional, suspenseful, effective, and unique yet faithful take on the Tate Murders. Hilary Duff's acting is very powerful and determined, and she conforms into the role of a modern Sharon Tate very well. The pacing is great, the actors have great chemistry together, and the soundtrack creates the perfect mood. Also very importantly, Farrands truly captured the ruthless horror and terror attached to this crime exceptionally well throughout the film.
Farrands is really a perfectionist director and he pays attention to detail, right down to exactly what the victims wore that night. He also had so much respect for the victims that he excluded the names of Manson's two female followers for the end credits and used their fictitious cult names instead. That should show you the degree to how much he wanted to have this film focus solely on Sharon Tate and her loved ones, stay true to that focus, and give them the respect they sincerely deserve.
So the next time you bash and hate on a great film, please be fully aware of the plot's true nature, the maker's intentions, and what they're trying to do. In this case, writer and director Daniel Farrands had the best of intentions and wanted to do nothing less than pay a unique, in-depth, and spiritual tribute to the lives of Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, and Steven Parent - and the remarkable people they were.
Excellent film.