Review

Jamie East at the movies

Rebecca Hall brings pathos and sensitivity to portrayal of Christine Chubbuck, newsreader who shot herself live on air

'Christine' is a gripping and uncomfortable look into Chubbuck's life, and the way it ended in the most tragic and public of circumstances

JAMIE EAST
Sun Film Critic

Published: 19:32, 26 Jan 2017
Updated: 12:57, 8 Feb 2017

Rebecca Hall gives the performance she’s always been promising in this period drama detailing the true, tragic story of Christine Chubbuck.

Chubbuck was a Florida newsreader whose depression and suicidal tendencies came to a head in the most tragic and public of circumstances when she shot herself on live television.

Rebecca Hall gives what may be her best performance yet in Christine, the story of a newsreader who committed suicide live on air — Rebecca Hall gives what may be her best performance yet in Christine, the story of a newsreader who committed suicide live on airCredit: Sportsphoto Ltd./Allstar

Hall and co-star Michael C. Hall really get under the skin of their roles and make the film much more gripping — Hall and co-star Michael C. Hall really get under the skin of their roles and make the film much more grippingCredit: LMK

The build up to this tragic ending would, without Rebecca Hall at the helm, be limp and plodding.

So all the more power to her elbow for taking Christine’s pain and frustration and giving it the sensitivity and pathos it needs.

Joined by Michael C. Hall they both bounce off the almost TV Movie quality and really get under its skin.

Hall takes Christine's pain and performs it with sensitivity and pathos, rather than giving an exaggerated performance of mental illness — Hall takes Christine's pain and performs it with sensitivity and pathos, rather than giving an exaggerated performance of mental illnessCredit: LMK

Without Hall's accomplished performance it's likely the whole thing would be limp and plodding, but she lifts the film up — Without Hall's accomplished performance it's likely the whole thing would be limp and plodding, but she lifts the film upCredit: Sportsphoto Ltd./Allstar

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Rather than meandering off into sentimental nonsense, Christine becomes a gripping, uncomfortable and sad look into this woman’s sad and unnecessarily short life.

★★★