Starring
Hillary Duff, Jonathan Bennett, Lynda Hearst, Pawel Szajda, Tyler
Johnson, Ryan Cargill. Directed by Daniel Farrands. (2019/95 min).
ON
BLU-RAY FROM LIONSGATE
Review
by Josey, the Sudden Catđž
It
probably goes without saying that the concept of The Haunting
of Sharon Tate is in pretty poor taste, but I’m assuming anyone still
reading this is okay with that. So rather than comment on its
repugnant inspiration, it seems more prudent to assess the film on
its own merits as a sensationalistic piece of exploitation. After
all, a horror film doesn’t necessarily need class to be effective.
The
entire story is based on what the real Sharon Tate once said in an
interview, supposedly dreaming she and good friend Jay Sebring were
brutally murdered...a full year before she and four others were
killed by the Manson family. The film covers the three days leading
up to the murders, where Tate (Hillary Duff) is home with friends
Sebring (Jonathan Bennett), Abigail Folger (Lynda Hearst) and
Wojciech Frykowsky (Pawel Szajda). Tate is repeatedly haunted by
visions and signs of her impending doom at the hands of Manson’s
crew. And yes, those visions are offered in graphic detail.
 |
| Ms. Duff's agent suggests a Lizzie McGuire reboot. |
Subject
matter notwithstanding, an interview quote is a pretty weak premise
to build an entire movie around and writer-director Daniel Farrands
isn’t up for the challenge of making these characters
interesting enough to spend 90 minutes with, including Tate herself. Duff gives
it a good college try and it's obvious she's relishing the chance to do something different, but all that’s required of her is to panic
and cry before suddenly having the foresight to arm herself.
Speaking
of which, Farrands tries to have his cake and eat it, too, presenting
the world’s most infamous home invasion twice, first as one of
Tate’s visions, which accurately recreates the murders which still
haunt us today. But the second time, Farrands offers a revisionist
take on the event that plays like the climactic showdown of a slasher
film. The problem isn’t necessarily that he exploits a real tragedy
for the sake of cheap thrills. The problem is that we’ve seen it
all before in countless other home invasion movies.
The
depressing denouement also suggests Farrands is a card-carrying
member of the Ambrose Bierce Fan Club, or at-least a big Twilight
Zone fan. Forget the tastelessness of the premise. Real-life inspiration notwithstanding, The Haunting of Sharon Tate
is simply a dreary, repetitive and ultimately derivative horror film.
EXTRA
KIBBLES
"PREMONITION:
THE HAUNTING OF SHARON TATE” - A 15 minute
featurette consisting mostly of cast interviews.
AUDIO
COMMENTARY – By Writer/Director Daniel Farrands.
TRAILER
DIGITAL
COPY
KITTY CONSENSUS:
MEH...
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