Love & Death works so well largely in part due to Elizabeth Olsen and Jesse Plemons, but also because of the brilliant storytelling.
The story of Candy Montgomery has been told more than once, one of which was very recently with 2022’s Candy starring Jessica Biel. That miniseries was just five episodes, and this newest one, starring Elizabeth Olsen in the lead role, is seven. Because of this, certain issues that were present in Candy are fixed.
HBO Max’s Love & Death gives viewers a “refreshing” take on the horrific tale, and will have them unexpectedly understanding where Candy comes from, and even feeling for her, which is largely in part due to Olsen’s performance.
From the very start of the series viewers see things through Candy’s eyes. Elizabeth Olsen is easy to fall in love with. She is sweet, charming, and even though she is plotting to cheat on her husband with her friend’s husband, you can’t help but root for her. This is brilliant considering how the story plays out in the end.
This is all based on a true story, and as I mentioned before there have been multiple adaptations, so it really isn’t a spoiler to mention this ends up in a murder. The real life Candy pled self defense, which is why making the audience like her is a very smart move. It makes it easy to want her to get away with what she did.
In the Jessica Biel version, she plays Candy a little tougher. She has a bit more of an attitude and comes off as unlikable at times. Because of this, it was hard to be in her corner as the miniseries wrapped up.
At the same time, Love & Death makes Betty Gore more unlikable than Candy did. While she is certainly being wronged, there is no doubt about that, there is something about the way that Lily Rabe plays her that turns viewers off to her. Her performance, combined with the writing of the miniseries, makes it easy to think she totally was the instigator in the situation.
Similarly, it is impossible not to feel for Allan Gore, played by Jesse Plemons. He is wonderful in the role and gives off the vibe of someone you just want to reach out and hug. Even though both he and Candy are doing something terribly wrong, the storytelling will have those watching feeling as if it is all justified. And because of this, it is impossible not to be absolutely hooked on the series.
Plemons and Olsen together are completely captivating. Their relationship almost feels like that of Romeo and Juliet. They cannot be together, but you want them to be. They have a powerful friendship and the chemistry is unrivaled. They play these characters, and the way they feel about each other, to absolute perfection.
Krysten Ritter plays Candy’s best friend and confidant Sherry Cleckler. While she isn’t a main character, she is extremely important to the show. Ritter delivers yet another stellar performance. She is often the eyes and ears of the audience. As Candy confesses things to her, we hear what she is really thinking and why she is feeling this way. This is part of what makes Candy so relatable and if it wasn’t for those walks and conversations with her best friend, we wouldn’t get to see that side of her.
Overall Thoughts
Candy Montgomery’s story has been told multiple times, however this is the first time that it is done in a way that will have viewers undoubtedly on her side. Elizabeth Olsen breaths something into this character that we haven’t see before. She is absolutely doing something wrong and yet we fall in love with her. We understand where she is coming from and we want nothing but the best for her.
Same goes for what Jesse Plemons does for Allan Gore. He is extremely lovable and comes off as an innocent bystander in all of this, even though he was unfaithful to his wife. The way the series unfolds makes it seem as if he was completely justified in having an affair because of how his wife acted towards him.
Love & Death may be about seven hours of television, but it absolutely flies by. The first three episodes suck you into the story before completely unleashing craziness in the episodes four and five, to then wrap everything up perfectly with six and seven. The reason this series works so well is because of the brilliant writing and the incredible performances.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
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About Love & Death
Love & Death takes a close look at Candy Montgomery’s shift from a bright, devout Christian housewife to a merciless ax-murderer and the peculiar affair that started it all. Set in a close-knit, trusting Texas community full of carefree families and faithful churchgoers, it’s an idyllic picture–and the perfect cover for dangerous secrets and vicious jealousy left unchecked.
With executive producers David E. Kelley and Nicole Kidman and stars Elizabeth Olsen and Jesse Plemons, the limited series promises sky-high pedigree, style with substance, and the complex, psychological nuance necessary for such an unbelievable true crime story.
