Franco rescues drama from the made-for-TV category I see from earlier user reviews that others thought True Story was of the quality of a made for TV movie. Perhaps this is because at the end of the movie, you learn that this is indeed a true story and you are provided with the current state of play of the main characters, Longo and Finkel. The lurid content of the crimes also contributes to that made-for-TV template. Yet, I did not think until 80% into the movie that it might be a true story and even then I hoped it would have an ending that proved Finkel's (the character played by Franco) innocence. Why? Because of Franco's performance.
The pleasant, offbeat character played by Franco made Longo seem odd but charming in a haunted kind of way. It was quite late in the movie that it became clear that he (Longo) was a sociopath and a narcissist to boot. The suspense was created solely by Franco's portrayal which I am sure made the vast majority of viewers root for him until it was revealed what a monster he was. And yet, this realization did not require Franco to change character at all and therefore provided believable (and therefore confusing) consistency.
The movie also plays nicely upon the interdependence of Longo and Finkel. This allows the movie to deliver a morality play in a larger context without becoming preachy.
I still preferred Franco in The Interview but perhaps this will allow him to get a few more roles in dramas.