Lethal Vows - Bis dass der Tod uns scheidet

This is the kind of movie that, in my opinion, is good from start to finish. It is cleverly put together and with the help of a talented group of actors, this is one of the better TV movies I have seen.

The plot is very unusual and interesting. One of the things that really struck me is that the crew must have done a lot of research in order for the story to be accurate. (I'm referring to the medication side effects.) A lot of hard work and excellent writing went into this production.

The actors perform exceptionally well. Especially John Ritter, who plays the evil David Farris. Marg Helgenberger comes very close to being as good as Ritter but there's no stopping him. Helgenberger plays the part of Ellen Farris particularly good also. The rest of the cast adds their two cents to make this not so typical family shine.

The writing, cast, and idea overall is phenomenal. With the luck that CBS will decide to air this again, be prepared because you never know who you may be dealing with.

I've noticed for a long time, now, that I'm seldom disappointed by a t.v. movie - the reverse is true for most of the "theatre" movies available on cable right now...I wonder if it's because pay-per view, and satellite dish companies are snapping up the good "theatre" stuff leaving us cable viewers with the rubbish?...small wonder then that my local cable company is resorting to "attack" ads on satellite dish t.v, which ads are having the effect of turning me on to dish my local cable co!

Anyway, "Lethal Vows" is a good solid suspense yarn, with believable situations, attractive characters (even the villain!)and natural-sounding dialogue. It's based on a true story, as so many of these t.v. movies are, truth being more entertaining than fiction, telling the story of a long divorced ex-wife, coming to suspect that her (still-friendly)former spouse, and father of her two daughters, is guilty of slowly poisoning her, and his present wife who is currently displaying the same symptoms that our heroine experienced during her marriage to the man - the effects of such poisoning lingering to the time-set of the movie, 14 years after the divorce.. There is no doubt of the villain, from the get-go - the charming John Ritter, who is as pleasant a madman, as he is in his usual role of good guy. The many women in the movie, are good to look upon -many familiar faces which cause my irritation at IMB's lack of a cast-list -with the minor characters also being up to snuff. Altogether, an absorbing movie.

I thought John Ritter was great in this. Unfortunately, I did not see this movie until after Ritter's death but I think he would have had a career as a bad guy! Hard to believe but the lovable "Jack Tripper" can really look evil! Marg Helgenberger looks older than she does in CSI but that is because she is not made up to look like a hooker as she often does now. She was matronly and quite believable as the woman who, 14 years after her divorce, comes to suspect her friendly ex of some dastardly deeds. It was totally unbelievable, though, that the police would have believed her so quickly and acted on her information. I tried to find a book on this subject since it was based on a "true story" but was unable to find one. It would interesting to see how the events really unfolded.

I enjoyed Lethal Vows. It was evident that John Ritter's character was the antagonist from the start. We see and learn how dangerous and devious he was. He took advantage of the better nature of people and did away with people he had no use for anymore. John Ritter is a standout in this film and carries it well. He shows his great range and plays a dark and evil character very well. Like a light switch being turned each way, he easily alternates from doting father and good Samaritan to a dangerous figure who cannot trust.

What is shocking is this film was based on the true story. What a despicable and evil person Richard Overton was.

I know about poisoners. This movie accurately portrayed the charming personality of the husband, who deep down inside is seething with rage against his wife. This happens far more than anyone suspects. Death by poison accounts for 60% of all deaths. While this sounds absurd, it is statistically true. I thought the movie was very well done, very accurate about how far a serial killer will go, and showed the pattern of behavior over years. I give it full stars for accuracy. It makes one wonder how many people have truly died from poison. I read in the "Poisoners Handbook' over 50% of the graveyard would sit up if you asked if they'd been poisoned. It sure is an easy method to rid one's self of a problem. A few lies here and there, and it would be easy to make someone appear ill and incapable to unsuspecting onlookers. Beware is all I can say... they don't exactly announce it. :)