Maggie Moore(s) True story?
Director John Slattery (Mad Men, Spotlight) takes Paul Bernbaum‘s (Hollywoodland, Next) the Maggie Moore(s) tale and turns it into a mix of murder that starts in a castle. To be more specific, a castle that sells subs: Castle Subs and all is not well at the little fast food joint.
The Main Cast
The film stars Jon Hamm, Tina Fey and Micah Stock they are the main players in this story based loosely on a true event. The cast also includes Nick Mohammed; as Deputy Reddy, and Happy Anderson; as Kosco.
The story
Two women are found dead in different locales. Each have died in dissimilar ways. One burnt to death in a car, the other shot. The only thing the two victims have in common are their names: Maggie Moore. Chief John Sanders and his deputy; Reddy investigate. It has been pointed out that this version of the true story about real women who died within days of each other, leaves facts at the door.
*The relatives of the real murdered women (named Morris not Moore) are not pleased at this loose interpretation of events.*
Back to the movie: Jay Moore, franchise owner of Castle Subs, is having severe marriage problems with his Maggie. Jay pays a child porn collector for cheap out of date fillings for his subs. Maggie #1 discovers the porn. This disgusts her and she demands that Jay leave.
Jay hires a hitman to take out his angry wife. Things go downhill from there. The Castle Sub franchisee learns about another Maggie Moore. Jay arranges for her to be removed as well. All the better to confuse the police.
The Romance
The story so far has Police Chief Sanders (Hamm) meet and become interested in Rita Grace. *To be clear here, these characters have no true relevance in the actual murders of the two Morris women.* Sanders and Grace start awkwardly bonding. A few dates later, they are still slightly uneasy with their new relationship. Overall, however, they do make a good couple.
The Big PLOT-HOLE
As pointed out by another reviewer, Jay Moore is apparently broke but has no problem repeatedly paying a hitman to fix his problems. This entire interpretation of this “adaptation,” is based upon Moore’s financial woes. This a true faux pas in terms of the script’s story line.
The rest of the story
It is true that the entire money thing is an issue. But other plot points in the story work brilliantly. The car mechanic, the oblique references to the Mega Lottery, et al, all stand out. Even the romantic subplot between Sanders and Grace follows a logical trajectory.
Maggie Moore(s) can be described as a black comedy, in the mold of The Coen Brothers, but there is just enough shocking violence to keep it out of the imitation game. It plays well.
In conclusion
This is an entertaining film. All references to it being based on a true story aside, it works well as a black comedy/mystery/crime movie. Hamm and Fey have good chemistry here. Mohammed fits in with this disparate cast of characters. *Side note: Micah Stock sounds like Bill Murray when he speaks.*
Mike’s Film Talk gives this a solid 4.5 stars. It entertains and, true story allegations aside, it has some very funny moments. Check out the trailer below. Maggie Moore(s) is streaming on Hulu.
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