Reel Review: I Am the Night
Producer Patty Jenkins
Starring: Chris Pine, India Eisley, Jefferson Mays
A new limited series from filmmaker Patty Jenkins (Monster, Wonder Woman) detailing the real life events surrounding the infamous 1947 murder of Elizabeth Short otherwise known as The Black Dahlia. Next to the Ripper murders the Black Dahlia has captured the imaginations of armchair detectives through the decades and is equally as infamous.
The first of six episodes premiered tonight on TNT starring Chris Pine as a down and out news reporter who has fallen from grace after rubbing certain powerful parties the wrong way after running an expose on one George Hodel who is very well connected. George is believed by many including his son (a former LAPD detective) to be the slayer of Elizabeth Short.
A young woman raised all her life in Nevada comes to learn that her past is a lie and that George Hodel is her grandfather and leaves home in search of her roots to the chagrin of her adoptive mother. The episode ends with the young woman making it to LA seeking to reconnect with her grandfather and journalist Jay Singletary once again set upon the trail of Dr. Hodel and the secrets that he may be hiding.
This is episode one of six and is planting the seeds of what is to come in the series going forward. Chris Pine as usual gives a stellar performance as the disgraced journalist brings both his comedic chops and a sense of tragedy to his character. India Eisley is also great as a young woman whose life is turned upside down and the ending of tonight's episode has me stoked as to what is to come this season.
I am a long time true crime buff and the Black Dahlia case is one that has fascinated me for a very long time. Especially in recent years George Hodel's name has figured prominently as the preeminent suspect in the murder of Elizabeth Short. Just google the name George Hodel and you can read a little bit about some of the accusations lobbed against him that will make your stomach turn. If your a student of true crime or just a fan of mystery thrillers then chances are I Am the Night will probably be to your liking.
Review of I Am the Night
