After watching the movie 'Mrs. Soffel,' my experience was marked by the director's penchant for frequent and slow panning shots in all directions - sideways, upwards, and downwards. While the intention was likely to highlight visual elements and details, this approach often makes us lose precious seconds in scenes that, frankly, seem superfluous. If someone were to add up all these seconds, they might be surprised by the amount of precious minutes wasted throughout the film.
It's worth noting that some of the prisoners from Allegheny County Jail served as extras and background artists in the movie, adding historical authenticity to the production. Gillian Armstrong made use of the Allegheny County Jail, contributing to a sense of realism and immersion in the story.
Furthermore, it's worth mentioning that 'Mrs. Soffel' faced challenges at the box office, grossing considerably less than its budget. With a budget of $11 million and a box office revenue of only $4,385,312, the film didn't achieve the expected success.
Regarding the actors' performances, it's notable that Mel Gibson had not yet reached the peak of his talent at that time. His performance, while competent, doesn't stand out in the same way as in later films. On the other hand, Diane Keaton, with her experience and maturity as an actress, delivers a solid and captivating performance, as characteristic of her career.
The real story behind the film is equally intriguing. The Biddle brothers suffered gunshot wounds during the escape attempt, with Jack described as 'riddled with bullets.' The tragic outcome, with the death of the Biddle brothers, brought a wave of excitement and even local celebrity status to them, with thousands attending, some believing in their innocence. Their bodies were buried in Calvary Cemetery on February 5, 1902.
Kate Soffel, after recovering from her injuries, was sentenced and served a two-year sentence, which was later reduced to five months due to her good behavior. Her husband divorced her, and her life took twists and turns after the incident.
In summary, 'Mrs. Soffel' is a movie that, despite its challenges in execution, offers an intriguing glimpse into a historical chapter and presents the complexity of human relationships and moral choices in a unique context.
It's worth noting that some of the prisoners from Allegheny County Jail served as extras and background artists in the movie, adding historical authenticity to the production. Gillian Armstrong made use of the Allegheny County Jail, contributing to a sense of realism and immersion in the story.
Furthermore, it's worth mentioning that 'Mrs. Soffel' faced challenges at the box office, grossing considerably less than its budget. With a budget of $11 million and a box office revenue of only $4,385,312, the film didn't achieve the expected success.
Regarding the actors' performances, it's notable that Mel Gibson had not yet reached the peak of his talent at that time. His performance, while competent, doesn't stand out in the same way as in later films. On the other hand, Diane Keaton, with her experience and maturity as an actress, delivers a solid and captivating performance, as characteristic of her career.
The real story behind the film is equally intriguing. The Biddle brothers suffered gunshot wounds during the escape attempt, with Jack described as 'riddled with bullets.' The tragic outcome, with the death of the Biddle brothers, brought a wave of excitement and even local celebrity status to them, with thousands attending, some believing in their innocence. Their bodies were buried in Calvary Cemetery on February 5, 1902.
Kate Soffel, after recovering from her injuries, was sentenced and served a two-year sentence, which was later reduced to five months due to her good behavior. Her husband divorced her, and her life took twists and turns after the incident.
In summary, 'Mrs. Soffel' is a movie that, despite its challenges in execution, offers an intriguing glimpse into a historical chapter and presents the complexity of human relationships and moral choices in a unique context.