This film is based on actual events about an accused killer (James Franco) who assumes the name of a disgraced New York Times reporter (Jonah Hill). Once they meet, most of the movie is spent with the prison encounters between them…and it’s pretty mild. While the premise is interesting, the film lacks tension and (ironically) good writing. It doesn’t help that Franco intentionally plays his character with blank emotion, which instead of coming off sinister, just reads flat. Hill is equally inert. The story has the potential for a gripping game of truth vs. lies, but the bland direction, lackluster script and uninspired performances dull this story.
(2.3 / 5)