Based on Susan Scarf Merrell’s novel, Decker tries to capture the spirit of real-life author Shirley Jackson (a miscast Elizabeth Moss), a depressed literate genius with a bad case of writer’s block. Merrel’s novel dealt with the events that lead Jackson to create her classic, “The Hangsman”, and that’s exactly what Decker tries to tackle here as well. Married to music professor Stanley (Michael Stuhlbarg), Shirley would eventually find inspiration in Rose (Odessa Young), an early twenty-something bride who moves into the Jackson’s Vermont home with her husband Fred (Logan Lerman) for his summer apprenticeship and teaching assistant gig with Stanley. Notwithstanding the considerable ambition of the filmmaking, Decker has a real eye for framing. The story is told in rather murky fashion, and at times it seems as though Decker isn’t sure just how to fully inhabit the creative, and sexual connection between Shirley and Rose. There’s an ambivalence to the on-screen characters that felt off and that ultimately puts this viewer at a clear distance from the drama. Despite my reservations, “Shirley” received rave reviews from critics at Sundance (84 on Metacritic and 97% Fresh on RottenTomatoes.) “Shirley” will be available everywhere, presumably all VOD channels on June 5. Watch the trailer below and let us know what you think. Contribute Hire me
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