Beautiful Purdue University student Jenna Dewan-Tatum (as Sarah Jo Pender) is outraged when boyfriend Greyston Holt (as Rick) invests her tuition money in a drug deal. The most sober member of a frothy foursome, Ms. Dewan-Tatum orders Mr. Holt to get rid of their roommates – then, she goes for a walk. When Dewan-Tatum returns, the other couple has been shot. Dewan-Tatum is found guilty of double murder and sentenced to 110 years in prison. This is how "She Made Them Do It" begins, but how it ends is unclear. During the running time, we are made to think the opening events did not happen as screened. Although we are informed this is "based on a true story," the truth appears to have escaped...
Dewan-Tatum's character is described as a "female Charles Manson." Yet, she either does or doesn't commit the crime according to the moment you happen to be watching. Sexy and attractive for writer Gary Tieche and director Grant Harvey, Dewan-Tatum wastes no time in dropping her panties for the camera. She also hints at including both genders in bed, engaging the viewer. It's nice to see clean and sober Mackenzie Phillips (as Jamie Long) among her prison girlfriends. Given the use of "America's Most Wanted" and the fact that she was convicted, the way filmmakers seem to glamorize the character may be considered unfortunate – but that TV program and this film are selling crime as entertainment, after all.
**** She Made Them Do It (2/28/13) Grant Harvey ~ Jenna Dewan-Tatum, Steve Bacic, Andrew Airlie, Mackenzie Phillips
