The Biggest Differences Between Love & Death and Candy

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re looking at the Differences Between Love & Death and Candy. For this list, we’ll be discussing both true crime drama series and their dissimilarities despite being based on the same true events. Some details will be discussed, so beware of potential spoilers ahead! Which series do you like best? Who’s your favorite Candy? Let us know in the comments.

#8: Opening Credits

When it comes to true crime dramas, many don’t use opening credits like a traditional TV series. Hulu’s “Candy” opens with an animated sequence of falling text from recipes and retro instruction manuals, set to a simple piano melody. HBO Max’s “Love & Death” opted for a lyrical theme with Nina Simone’s soulful hit “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.” The song plays over a montage of slow visuals – close-ups of blood, flowers, white picket fences, and various shots around the Texas town. Each opening sets the tone for its respective series. “Love & Death” shows the mundanity of an idyllic environment, while “Candy” visualizes the destruction of the housewife trope.

#7: Consultants

“Candy” and “Love & Death” are based on the same source material, the two Texas Monthly pieces written by Jim Atkinson and John Bloom in 1984, along with their book “Evidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs.” However, the journalists are reportedly only credited as consulting producers on “Candy.” The creators behind both series also consulted many of the same people close to the case including law enforcement and lawyers. One of Candy Montgomery’s attorneys, Robert Udashen, spoke with the members of each production. He told Lake Highlands Advocate he was more involved with “Love & Death,” and as a result, he feels the series is more accurate than “Candy” when it comes to Montgomery’s trial.

#6: Filming Locations

It’s no secret that film and television productions often use locations as stand-ins for the actual setting of the story. The real Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore lived in Texas when the crime took place. In December 2021, the producers of “Candy” began filming the series in and around Georgia, including Atlanta and Decatur. The two southern states resemble each other enough that it goes unnoticed. Months before, “Love & Death” commenced production in Texas, with the main studio reportedly located in the city of Kyle. Some filming also reportedly took place in Austin at the Paramount Theatre, where the cast and creators returned in March 2023 to screen the first episode at the South by Southwest Festival.

#5: Character Looks

Whether or not an actor resembles a real-life character they’re portraying isn’t always important, but it can help the audience immerse themselves in the story. People were impressed with Jessica Biel’s transformation for “Candy,” especially the permed hair and distinct glasses. The rest of the main cast – Pablo Schreiber as Allan, Timothy Simons as Pat, and Melanie Lynskey as Betty – closely resembled their real-life counterparts, too. Elizabeth Olsen went a different route for her portrayal, opting for a slightly curly hairstyle. However, her appearance changes for the trial proceedings, mirroring Candy’s in real life, and Olsen definitely nails that look. However, the other stars – Jesse Plemons as Allan, Patrick Fugit as Pat, and Lily Rabe as Betty – look noticeably different from the people they play.

#4: Betty & Allan Gore’s Children

When dramatizing a true story, it’s not unusual for the names of characters to be changed, especially when it comes to crime. In “Candy,” Betty and Allan have two daughters, young Christina and baby Valerie. However, their real names are Alisa and Bethany, and the reasoning behind the changes is unclear. The Gores also briefly have a foster son named Davey, whose presence is significant because the series implies that Betty threatened him. While sources have stated the real couple did have foster children at times, there are reportedly no known accusations against Betty. In contrast, “Love & Death” doesn’t mention any foster children, and uses Alisa and Bethany’s actual names, which perhaps suggests a more accurate representation.

#3: Number of Episodes

The bizarre case of Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore has a lot of twists and turns. Hulu’s “Candy” managed to cover the wild story in five one-hour episodes. Some events were condensed to fit within the roughly five-hour runtime, like the murder trial. For one week in May 2022, the streaming platform aired one episode a night. Meanwhile, “Love & Death” consists of seven episodes, allowing the series to take its time establishing what normal life looked like for the Montgomerys and the Gores. HBO Max also has a different premiere schedule, beginning with a three episode premiere and following up with an episode each week. People who enjoy episodic viewing over binge-watching will appreciate this setup.

#2: Style & Tone

One aspect that stands out about “Love & Death” is its dark humor. Writer David E. Kelley and director Lesli Linka Glatter – both also executive producers – explored comedy in their take. Granted, laughs aren’t what audiences expect when watching a true crime drama series. However, one could argue that the story is inherently comedic (in twisted ways) given the strange situation and shocking crime. “Candy,” meanwhile, likely provoked some laughs, especially scenes involving Candy and Allan’s awkward sexual tension. But series creators Nick Antosca and Robin Veith decided to focus more on the drama of it all. Some audiences may enjoy levity with the dark subject matter. Others may prefer a more intense, somber watch. Where you fall will probably influence which series you like more.

#1: Narrative Structure

In addition to being tonally distinct, “Love & Death” and “Candy” are structured in different ways. In the latter, the story unfolds in a nonlinear fashion, beginning shortly before the crime itself and ultimately working backward, as well as jumping back and forth between past and present. It can be a little confusing, especially with only a two-year difference between timelines. “Love & Death” uses flashbacks and flashforwards to moments pre-murder and post-murder. But the series mainly sticks to a more traditional narrative storytelling structure. Both series tell the same riveting tale, but the execution creates different viewing experiences. One style isn’t necessarily better, it just depends on the viewer’s own tastes.