Love and Death: A Look at the True Crime Story of Candy Montgomery
The case of Candy Montgomery has been the subject of many true crime retellings, including the latest series on HBO Max, Love and Death. The series takes a closer look at the events that occurred in the ’80s when Candy Montgomery allegedly committed a brutal ax murder of Betty Gore (Variety).
The series follows the case through the eyes of Montgomery’s former friend, who was able to survive the attack. While the show is sure to be compelling viewing, it’s important to remember that this is based on a true crime story that saw the loss of life in a horrific way.
The show aims to provide a corrective to crime sensationalism, with creator David E. Kelley’s empathetic HBO Max docudrama based on the story (Time). It brings to light the irony of the situation, where nobody was supposed to get hurt. It’s a sad but poignant reminder of the fragility of life and how quickly things can spiral out of control.
Elizabeth Olsen shines in the lead role, and viewers may be shocked to learn that she needed no mental preparation for the sex scenes (Vanity Fair). The series remains faithful to the true story, with Montgomery being the housewife-turned-alleged murderer (Esquire). The show’s creators were able to film in the actual house where the murder occurred, bringing an eerie sense of authenticity to the story (Texas Monthly).
Love and Death is a part of a spate of documentaries that have centered around women who commit murder or kill by proxy (The New York Times). It’s a shocking reminder that anyone, regardless of gender, can commit heinous crimes.
Director Lesli Linka Glatter provides her version of the story, promoting empathy and understanding while trying to remain faithful to the actual events (Dallas Morning News). It’s a delicate balance, but one that the show seems to handle well.
In the end, it’s crucial to remember that this is a true story, and the events depicted in Love and Death actually happened. We should always approach these types of shows with empathy and sensitivity, remembering the real people involved and the devastation that occurred.
