This 1991 film was really predictable and no surprises for a mystery. Writer Christopher Canaan could have done more with the subject matter based supposedly on a true story. Aren't all LMN TV movies true stories? Director George Kaczender tried but had bad actors to work with and I feel he finally gave up.
For certainly Peter Coyote, an actor I never have liked, gave a one dimensional performance. Watch the scene where he discovers his wife's murder. Blank face, no expression, no regret, just sits in the dining room staring into space. This is all right if you're playing shock, but to continue the same thing through the entire movie got boring as hell. And through all of this where are the children? Who's looking after them? For Coyote is too busy saving his own neck. Bad, bad, bad! Now Lesley Ann Warren has come a ways since Cinderella, hasn't she? She makes these googly eyes and giggles, reminiscent of VICTOR VICTORIA and A NIGHT IN HEAVEN. It seems to be the only thing she can do. She's quite a lovely lady and should try less intensive roles and just look pretty, which she is. Jean Smart as the wife was the only actor who had any balls at all. As the wife, she made a presence to reckon with. And Freda Williams as the dumb secretary taken in by the obvious allure of Warren did okay.
Forget this one. No hope for it.
