Based on the best-selling novel written by Colleen Hoover, Verity is an adaptation directed by Michael Showalter. I found the film compelling, especially given the performance of Anne Hathaway. She plays Verity Crawford, and starred in Showalter’s previous film The Idea of You. In that film, Hathaway’s performance was vibrant and positive, but this time her character has dark secrets. It is a vivid film about an author piecing together a story. What she figures out about actual events blindsides her. Verity is not an easy viewing experience, however, the realism is thought-provoking.
The film’s main character is Lowen Ashleigh, played by Dakota Johnson. She is a writer who is hired to do ghostwriting for Verity since she appears to be in a catatonic state following a tragic accident. Verity’s husband is Jeremy Crawford played by Josh Hartnett. Lowen is invited to stay at their huge home in the mountains of Vermont. She has access to the manuscripts, autobiographical evidence, and the writings of Verity herself. Jeremy cares for his son Crew, played by Brady Wagner. As Lowen spends time pulling information together to begin writing, she discovers devastating evidence in her research.
One of the fascinating story lines involves Lowen becoming envious of the type of life Verity had. Since Lowen has some personal history of making mistakes, experiencing career success, and having regrets, she reminisces about those moments as she reads the manuscripts she uncovers. Verity feels like the audience is diving into the mind of an author living through another author. Verity is now on the sidelines—but is she truly incapacitated? Is she faking it? What made Verity have so much hatred? The questions linger as revelations spiral in Verity.
The angle of misbelief makes Verity attention-grabbing. Verity appears to have hated many components of her seemingly charmed life. As she narrates her story during moments in the film, she talks about her unhappiness and what elements of her life she finds exhausting. Lowen finds Verity’s story hard to believe. At the same time, she sees how Jeremy and Crew are suffering as slaves in their home. In spite of their luxurious life, no one is thriving since Verity’s condition keeps them trapped..
Lowen and Jeremy start falling for each other. This complicates matters and makes getting to the truth even more important. The dynamics are daring, and Johnson’s and Hartnett’s performances are spellbinding due to their intense chemistry. While Hathaway’s character is bedridden, there is plenty of action in Verity’s home and revealed via flashbacks.
As the story evolves, Verity follows the tracks of more lies unearthed through Lowen’s digging. She realizes that some incidents may have not been accidental and others may have been staged. The horrific findings create the psychological vibes. Verity is disturbing yet decent. For those who love to see how a book plays out on film, this film offers an adequate dose of suspense. Three out of four stars for Verity.
