A deeply disturbing but masterful movie

Rating: 10/10 (24 June 2017)

First, the basics: this is a masterfully made, spell-binding movie. Yes, there are all sorts of holes in the plot, but this movie is so well made, and becomes so tightly paced, that you either don't notice them or forgive them because you are so caught up in the intrigue.
That said, this is a deeply disturbing movie to watch. Often, you feel as if you, too, are trapped in a chair, like Jimmy Stewart's character, forced to watch stories that become more and more unpleasant, like the tale of "Miss Lonelyhearts".
But you also realize that that is what movie going is all about: watching other people's lives from the apparent safety of your seat in the theater - until one of the characters in one of those stories comes looking for you! This is a masterful suspense thriller at the end. But it doesn't make you feel good about yourself. Would you have forgotten about Miss Lonelyhearts when she was apparently about to commit suicide because you were so wrapped up in another story?
As I said at the beginning, this is a masterfully constructed and directed movie. But if you pay attention to what is going on and think about it, it won't make you feel good about yourself, or the act of watching others' stories.