Review of Lovely Molly (2011) by Ethan S — 04 Mar 2013

A tragic exploration of what can happen to a person when they are abused. Not everything in the film works, but the performances by the two sisters are astounding and the drama is felt deeply. Not to mention the absolutely astounding sound design and for the most part great cinematography.

What is lacking is most of the rest of the film. Molly is messed up on drugs and I like that the filmmakers truly make you guess what is real or not. Is she crazy? But the end kind of seals it a little too much, and the plot needed to reveal more about the symbol that Molly found.

It just doesn't make any sense, nor does it add anything to the plot which is already strong. I think the film would have actually benefited from shying away from horror. If all of her experiences, paranoia, etc.

were drug induced this would be a really interesting movie. Unfortunately, it tacks on some kind of possession thing that doesn't work. Was it there before their parents even moved in? Is the Dad a satanist? Was he possessed? Was Molly? Too many unanswered question bring a well crafted movie down.

Still, I was deeply disturbed by this movie. It wasn't the horror of the gore or the scares. What got to me was that this film was basically like looking into Molly's mind, and what I saw there was horrible.

All caused by an atrocity that should have never happened.