Shirley

The 2020 movie Shirley is a mesmerizing blend of biography, drama, and psychological thriller with a splash of horror. Directed by Josephine Decker, the movie is adapted from the novel of the same name penned by Susan Scarf Merrell. The film explores the life of the renowned horror writer Shirley Jackson in a manner as enigmatic and complex as the woman herself. Boasting a cast featuring the critically acclaimed Elisabeth Moss in the titular role, the movie also stars Odessa Young, Michael Stuhlbarg and Logan Lerman.

Set during the mid-20th century, the story gives us an insight into the life and mind of Shirley Jackson. Known for her distinctively chilling short stories and novels, Jackson is in the process of devising her masterpiece, when a young couple enters her life. Fred and Rose Nemser, portrayed by Logan Lerman and Odessa Young respectively, arrive at the home of Jackson and her husband, Stanley Hyman (played by Stuhlbarg), plunging the four characters into a tale that’s part real, part suspenseful imagination.

Elisabeth Moss delivers a captivating performance as Shirley, embodying the writer's eccentricities, sharp wit and unpredictable moods with impressive finesse. It's through Moss's top-notch performance that viewers are introduced to a figure who is at once mesmerizing and intimidating. Jackson, as depicted in the movie, is ensnared in her creative process, living in a world bordering on dream and reality, which often reflects in her rather unconventional interaction with others.

Playing the role of Jackson’s husband, Michael Stuhlbarg shines as the charming yet manipulative Stanley Hyman. A literary critic and professor, Stanley navigates his tumultuous relationship with Shirley with a combination of charm, intellectual dominance, and emotional detachment. Odessa Young and Logan Lerman manage to infuse authenticity into their roles of the young couple, who are alternately bewildered, enchanted and gradually transformed by their interaction with Shirley and Stanley.

The film uses the real figures of Jackson and Hyman and the Nemsers to weave a gripping narrative that blurs the line between fact and fiction. It delves not just into the artistry of Shirley's writing, but also her troubled relationship with Stanley, her struggles with mental health, and her keen observations of societal norms and the role of women.

While the film is a visual treat with its artistic cinematography and authentic portrayal of the period, it also taps into the psychology of its characters with a deftness that engrosses the viewers. The directorial style and Sarah Gubbins' screenplay, rather than chronologically presenting events, create a layered narrative that epitomizes the essence of Jackson's own writing style — a mixture of psychological insight, a critique of societal norms, and an air of haunting mystery enveloping ordinary situations.

Shirley also delves deep into the theme of female identity, agency and creativity. It ponders the question of how women artists find spaces for their imagination, especially within the confinements of societal norms and expectations. The film daringly navigates these issues via its representation of Shirley and Rose, and the transformation that occurs between them over the course of the film.

Shirley is not a conventional biographical drama. It amalgamates fact and fiction to unfold a narrative that mirrors the essence of Shirley Jackson’s literary style and her perspective of the world. It successfully immerses the audience into a world that's a bizarre blend of reality and imagination, brooding and dynamic, grim yet brimming with creative energy. Be prepared to be surprised, a little confused and thoroughly intrigued as you delve into this extraordinary exploration of a gifted writer's tumultuous mind.

A cinematic experience that's as spellbinding as it's audacious, Shirley is a tribute to one of the greatest horror writers of the 20th century. It's an interpretive character study in which Elisabeth Moss delivers a performance that truly does justice to the enigmatic personality of Shirley Jackson. For lovers of psychological thrillers, and for anyone interested in the art of storytelling, Shirley is a must-watch. The film was well-received critically, particularly for Moss's uncanny portrayal of the capricious writer, and the intense atmosphere effectively created by the innovative narrative structure. The end result is a film that's as fascinating and eerie as Shirley Jackson's own storytelling style.