REVIEW
HBO Max’s series, Love & Death, is a retelling of the Candy Montgomery story that has previously been depicted in a 1990 TV movie and last year’s Hulu series, Candy. The plot centers around the discovery of Betty Gore’s body in a pool of blood on June 13, 1980, leading to an investigation that implicated Montgomery, who was having an affair with Gore’s partner. The subsequent trial resulted in a verdict of not guilty for Montgomery on October 30, 1980.
Love & Death is based on the book Evidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs by John Bloom and Jim Atkinson, which chronicles the events leading up to the murder and trial. The series is faithful to the reported facts, including Montgomery’s attraction to Allan Gore and her proposition to have an affair.
However, the true crime genre has faced criticism for its treatment of victims, particularly in how it frames the narrative from the killer’s perspective. Love & Death has therefore prompted some to question the decision to revisit this story. For instance, in the recent series Dahmer faced backlash for making Jeffrey Dahmer the lead character instead of focusing on his victims.
Somehow, I like the murderer’s point of view. For me, it is a study of human psychology. Why do people do what they do? Let the naysayers say what they will. But I really like programs that give me an insight into the human psyche. And this is one of those shows. And it is magnificently acted out by Elizabeth Olsen. The writing is great; I’ve enjoyed the series. I must add that the set designs have been outstanding; they are an amazing recreation of the late 70s early 80s, I mean, they’re just spot on. I hope you will enjoy the series as much as I have.
BACKGROUND
In 1977, Candy Montgomery fulfilled her dream of moving into a beautiful house in eastern Collin County, Texas, with her husband Pat and their two children. However, despite having a family and a home to call her own, Candy felt bored and unfulfilled with her marriage. She confided in her friends about her desire for an affair and eventually propositioned Allan Gore, a fellow choir singer, and volleyball teammate at their church.
After some hesitation, Allan agreed to have an affair with Candy, and the two began meeting in secret at a motel. However, when Allan expressed his desire to end the relationship after Candy’s second pregnancy, Candy was hurt and confronted Allan’s wife, Betty about their affair. The confrontation turned violent, and Betty attacked Candy with an ax, resulting in her death.
Candy left the crime scene and went to church, but she soon became the prime suspect in the police investigation. Allan’s recent breakup with Candy provided a strong motive for the killing, and he revealed this to the police. Despite hiring an attorney and seeking out a hypnotist, Candy was eventually tried for the murder, and her defense team argued that she acted in self-defense after Betty attacked her and made a triggering remark about her mother.
Despite the gruesome nature of the crime and the evidence against her, Candy Montgomery was found not guilty in court. The case stands as a reminder of the often unpredictable and tragic consequences of infidelity and the potential for violence that can result from it.
ABOUT ELIZABETH OLSEN
Elizabeth Olsen is an American actress born on February 16, 1989, in Sherman Oaks, California. She is the younger sister of the famous Olsen twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Elizabeth began her acting career at a young age, making her first appearance in her sisters’ movies.
In 2011, Elizabeth received critical acclaim for her breakthrough role in the independent film “Martha Marcy May Marlene,” in which she played the lead role of Martha, a young woman who escapes from a cult. Her performance earned her nominations for several awards, including the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead and the Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Actress.
Since then, Elizabeth has starred in numerous films, including “Silent House,” “Liberal Arts,” and “Oldboy.” However, she is best known for her portrayal of Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She first appeared as the character in the post-credits scene of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and has since reprised the role in several other films, including “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Captain America: Civil War,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” and “Avengers: Endgame.”
In addition to her film career, Elizabeth has also appeared in several television series, including “Sorry for Your Loss” and “WandaVision,” for which she received critical acclaim and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
Elizabeth Olsen is known for her versatility as an actress and her ability to bring depth and complexity to her roles. She continues to be a prominent figure in the entertainment industry and is considered one of the most talented actresses of her generation.
HBO Max’s series, Love & Death, is a retelling of the Candy Montgomery story that has previously been depicted in a 1990 TV movie and last year’s Hulu series, Candy. The plot centers around the discovery of Betty Gore’s body in a pool of blood on June 13, 1980, leading to an investigation that implicated Montgomery, who was having an affair with Gore’s partner. The subsequent trial resulted in a verdict of not guilty for Montgomery on October 30, 1980.
Love & Death is based on the book Evidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs by John Bloom and Jim Atkinson, which chronicles the events leading up to the murder and trial. The series is faithful to the reported facts, including Montgomery’s attraction to Allan Gore and her proposition to have an affair.
However, the true crime genre has faced criticism for its treatment of victims, particularly in how it frames the narrative from the killer’s perspective. Love & Death has therefore prompted some to question the decision to revisit this story. For instance, in the recent series Dahmer faced backlash for making Jeffrey Dahmer the lead character instead of focusing on his victims.
Somehow, I like the murderer’s point of view. For me, it is a study of human psychology. Why do people do what they do? Let the naysayers say what they will. But I really like programs that give me an insight into the human psyche. And this is one of those shows. And it is magnificently acted out by Elizabeth Olsen. The writing is great; I’ve enjoyed the series. I must add that the set designs have been outstanding; they are an amazing recreation of the late 70s early 80s, I mean, they’re just spot on. I hope you will enjoy the series as much as I have.
