Kaiah MacLeod

Filmmaking inaccuracies have faced prominent feedback, most often towards directors, for altering and misusing their creative powers to emphasize their artistic message. This has become a popular issue generally concerning historical or real-life entertainment that’s over-dramatized, resulting in misrepresentation and untrue adaptations.

Directors in the film industry often take the opportunity to enhance the essence of their work by occasionally misusing and taking advantage of the creative liberty they hold. Instances like these can be misleading and inaccurate, even if made to heighten the affected plot and message.

Whether it is regarding historical accuracy, or just basic fact, many filmmakers have faced popular backlash upon their misinterpreted representations of their productions. 

Creative persons do have the privilege of taking the creative reins, but it is seen that they should still maintain a respectful outlook on the situation at hand and involve the portrayed individual if possible.

Because real-life events are often glorified or slandered in film to match its creators viewpoint on the event, leading to the dramatizations that depict situations inaccurately and tarnish the reputations of those involved. 

Examples of commonly criticized films and shows include The Social Network, Pocahontas, Braveheart, Greenbook, as well as shows such as Pam and Tommy, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, and Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.

By increased demand, viewers of said works shine on the importance of involving the people characterized, if possible, to voice the most truthful interpretation that can be made.

Movies have always been open to one’s own interpretation to create and don’t necessarily need to follow the lines with accuracy, yet the debate still stands on where the line should lie and how far you should cross the truth.

High controversy on these issues continue with the recent popularity rise with the Menendez brothers’ criminal case with the release of Ryan Murphy’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. 

Television writer and director, Ryan Murphy, has faced reprisal reactions from both viewers, and involved counterparts within the actual events of his created productions. This feedback was expressed for not one, but two seasons of his biographical anthology drama series, Monsters. This included the first season covering the Jefferey Dahmer case and the second being the Menendez brothers’ case. 

Murphy is seen to have characterized both of the focused characters in an unfitting way and is receiving heavy criticism on it.

“It is sad for me to know that Netflix’s dishonest portrayal of the tragedies surrounding our crime have taken the painful truths several steps backward…How demoralizing to know that one man [Ryan Murphy] with power can undermine decades of progress in shedding light on childhood trauma,” said Erik Menendez.

As well as Menendez not being involved with the makings of the show, another instance similar to this was the 2022 biographical drama mini series, Pam and Tommy. Surrounding Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee’s marriage, neither of them were involved in the process of production.

“I think it’s hard to play somebody when you don’t know the whole picture…the idea of the whole thing happening was just really crushing for me,” said Anderson in a 2023 interview with Variety.

Both circumstances as well as many others relate in a disappointing way that show the cruciality of directors using their storytelling abilities in the courteous way. Now this is not saying that it’s a completely unlawful thing to creatively alter things, but it still showcases the need for common courtesy in filmmaking, while also showing the true character of each director in these situations.

Although not staying true to fact in movies and shows can be misunderstood and harmful, sometimes for artistic and cinematic purposes, it can be used effectively. 

Some examples of well-liked interpretations with inaccuracies include Marie Antoinette, Pearl Harbour, A Knight’s Tale, Elvis, the Jurassic Park films, and The Crown series. These films contain intimate portrayals and historical settings, even with unconventional and nonrealistic manners, while depicting different perspectives and stylistic choices.

As both sides of this debate continue to stand firm, the question remains: How far should directors go in depicting real-life representations, and where should the line be drawn?