HBO’s The Girl is the story of a beautiful young woman being sexually harassed by the much older and very unattractive male boss who is responsible for her career success. In this case, the woman is Tippi Hedren, the boss is Alfred Hitchcock, and they’re making The Birds and Marnie. Unfortunately, the movie just grinds along as Hitchcock becomes more twisted and Hedren becomes more wearily traumatized. The story is based on a book by Donald Spoto, whose version of Hitchcock is not shared by other film historians.
The Girl wastes some excellent acting. Toby Jones and Sienna Miller are good as Hitchcock and Hedren. As Hitchcock’s wife and secretary, Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake) and Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) are splendid. The Girl, which is just a dreary movie-watching experience, is now playing on HBO.