9: Charlie Says, Lady Bird, What to Save
*Kathleen Norris on GIRLS LOST AND FOUND: UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
Mary Harron’s Charlie Says, a film about young women in the Manson cult, provides a surprising note of hope. Based on a true story, it concerns a young social worker who meets with three of “Charlie’s girls” in prison. Appalled that they are still parroting what “Charlie says” as the truths they live by she is determined to help them regain their lives. While they believe that “our lives started when we met Charlie,” she explains to her boss, “I want to remind them of who they were before they ever met Charles Manson.” She recognizes that this will cause them great pain and we, along with her, wonder if such a difficult transition is possible for these women.
As the film moves between past and present, we find Manson, slyly and convincingly portrayed by Matt Smith, employing the brainwashing techniques that are common to cults: once recruiters bring women in, they are required to adhere to strict male/female roles, and are not allowed to discuss the past (except when Manson demeans their parents). They must never question his authority, and accept the names he gives them. “Susan’s dead,” Susan Atkins explains, “Charlie named me Sadie.” Manson’s ultimate goal is to turn them into people who will kill on his command.
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