REVIEW: A Deliciously Bloodsoaked LIZZIE BORDEN Comes Back For Another Wack

New series "The Lizzie Borden Chronicles" follows up the hit Lifetime movie "Lizzie Borden Took An Ax" with decadent aplomb. A true story that lays legend on the playgrounds as a jumprope chant still to this day. The infamous story of Lizzie Borden (1892) who was acquitted of the sadistic murder of both her parents. What was great about the original film was that it handled the crux of the story--murder and trial, with hard-boiled confidence that runs straight through the bloodline of the new show like a shot of heroine. Chronicles most impressively manages not to release itself from the tension and curiosity previously set-up where the movie left off. Apparently, "Lifetime" thought there was much more to offer and they are proving themselves right.

The great Christina Ricci continues to stun in an about-face performance. Her approach (as well as the writers) leaves little room for mystery and this bold, brutal choice is what makes it. Throughout her career, Ricci has unfairly dodged Oscar gold, most notably as serial killer Aileen Wuornos' (Charlize Theron--in one of the most amazing performances ever given on screen) troubled girlfriend Selby Wall in Monster. Here, though, Ricci forces us to remember how truly Grade-A of an actress she is while being cheeky enough to risk that status with a "Lifetime" show. I like Lifetime. After all the network single-handedly brought "The Golden Girls" to a whole new generation, but it has wrestled with a campy Soap Opera movie image for years. To challenge this, both Lizzie vehicles driven by Ricci is a double wack in the right direction. 

Whereas Ricci's "Lizzie" is manipulative, promiscuous, brash, and broken, her sister Emma (an understated Clea DuVall, Argo) is fragile, mousey, strange, and broken. This makes for a perfect counter-part--leaving the audience to wonder why the sisters are so different yet brought so close together. What actually happened in the Borden House and what is only a fabrication of the legend of Lizzie's mind? DuVall is simply fantastic and nails the reclusive Emily Dickinson feel like a pro.

The gritty modern soundtrack deserves considerable notation for being a daring contradiction, and it not only works but it works well. Watching characters dawn beautifully accurate costumes as horse drawn buggies travel across beautiful 1800 style sets to the sound of Tree Adams music is a jarring delight. It challenges us to agree with the flavor of Lizzie's blood-soaked pop-culture-sickle... and we not only do... we crave it.

Written By: Kai Elijah Hamilton