The Girl from Plainville Story:-
The potential pitfalls for The Girl from Plainville (Channel 4, Wednesday, 10pm) are numerous. This delicate and captivating drama recounts the real-life story of Michelle Carter and Conrad Roy III, teenagers from suburban Massachusetts who formed a close bond, primarily through text messages, as they grappled with depression. Their tragic story reached its devastating conclusion in 2014 when Roy, aged 18, died by suicide, and Carter, aged 17, was convicted of manslaughter.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 24 June 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Drama |
| Episodes | 8 |
| Creator | Liz Hannah, Patrick Macmanus |
| Cast | Elle Fanning, Chloë Sevigny, Cara Buono, Kai Lennox, Colton Ryan, Norbert Leo Butz |
| Director | Lisa Cholodenko, Zetna Fuentes, Pippa Bianco, Liz Hannah, Daniel Minahan |
| Writer | Liz Hannah, Patrick Macmanus, Ahmadu Garba, Ashley Michel Hoban, Sara Pearson, Sarah Cho, Bashir Gavriel |
| Cinematography | Frederick Elmes, Elisha Christian, Kat Westergaard |
| Music | Leopold Ross, Nick Chuba |
| Producer | Liz Hannah, Patrick Macmanus, Elle Fanning, Brittany Kahan Ward, Lisa Cholodenko, Neal Ahern, Russ Hammonds |
| Production | Happy Friday Productions, Lewellen Pictures, Echo Lake Entertainment, Littleton Road, Universal Content Productions |
| Certificate | 18+ |
In the public eye, the narrative surrounding this case has been distilled into a tale of emotional manipulation. Roy, portrayed by Colton Ryan, was battling suicidal thoughts, and Carter, through their intense conversations, encouraged him to take his own life twice (with Roy backing out of the first attempt). However, delving deeper reveals a more complex reality, one that this eight-part series endeavors to unravel.
Yet, in its opening installment, The Girl from Plainville seems uncertain how to move beyond the surface. Roy’s character receives minimal attention, introduced as already deceased in the first scene (although he reappears in flashback sequences). Instead, the focus is on Carter, brought to life with a captivating and slightly manic portrayal by the excellent Elle Fanning, as her text exchanges with Roy draw the scrutiny of a local police officer portrayed by Kelly AuCoin.
Did Carter play a role in Roy’s demise? Were they ensnared in a toxic codependency? Was she a victim, manipulator, or both? These are intricate questions, and the series grapples with them tentatively.
Initially, it sidesteps these inquiries, presenting the initial chapter of this tragic saga through a lens akin to Dawson’s Creek, revealing small-town American life as harboring unspoken horrors.
Fanning’s portrayal of Carter vacillates between vulnerability and hints of manipulativeness, reflecting the character’s internal conflict. Her struggles with mental illness, subtly alluded to by her mother Gail, portrayed by Stranger Things‘ Cara Buono, add further layers to her character.
For viewers unfamiliar with the case, discerning the accuracy of the portrayal may prove challenging. Yet, the series endeavors to convey the impact of Roy’s loss, particularly on his mother, portrayed with wrenching intensity by Chloë Sevigny.
The intersection of suicide and prestige television is fraught, prompting contemplation of whether a documentary approach might be more fitting. Nevertheless, The Girl From Plainville remains earnest in its quest for truth. Through Fanning’s portrayal, the series offers a poignant depiction of a young woman grappling with guilt and denial in the aftermath of tragedy.
