Inspired by our upcoming Cold Case topic, All Good Things, next week’s guest Kevin Smokler is asking for other examples of what he’s thinking of calling “Vanity Fair Movies” — movies that feel like “filmed versions of true crime stories that appear on about page 107 of issues of Vanity Fair.”
He includes Foxcatcher in the category, but needs more instances to MAKE it a proper category. So, readers: movies, based on true stories/cases, that feel like a VF exposé. I think maybe Wolf Of Wall Street has this vibe? And should we call them VF Movies or something else?
I love the name though at first I was expecting something related to the actual movie Vanity Fair.
I think they are making a movie about that woman that conned the VF reporter and others out of hundreds of thousands in expensive travel and luxury items. Looking forward to that.
I think any movie about the Martha Moxley case fits the category.
I'm a big fan of Shattered Glass, which was literally adapted from a VF article.
Bernie comes to mind (though that was based on a Texas Monthly piece), Savage Grace, The Bling Ring
I think “The Insider” fits the bill: relatively simple through line, complicated by a bunch of difficult white guys, lots of evocative detail.
I love the name though at first I was expecting something related to the actual movie Vanity Fair.
I think they are making a movie about that woman that conned the VF reporter and others out of hundreds of thousands in expensive travel and luxury items. Looking forward to that.
I think any movie about the Martha Moxley case fits the category.
Dark Waters very much did this for me, do we think Erin Brockovich counts?
https://twitter.com/Longreads/status/1239219772891545601 -- SDB
Might also add Lou Pearlman to the list of topics: https://tomatonation.com/culture-and-criticism/hit-charade/