Death Benefit

I am from Kentucky, I went to a boarding school with the sister of the girl this movie is about. I remember when she found out that her sisters death was not an accident. That has been many years ago. We had lost touch for a few years, but I recently got back in touch with her. I actually talked to her about her sister tonight. Back in boarding school, she couldn't even talk about it. She did tell me that her mother was not portrayed correctly in this movie. She was not a good mother, and she was horrible to her daughter. I would say that if the writer of this movie did research with the family, then the mother was portrayed as she would want the world to know her as.

I like this movie for some strange reason. I think Peter Horton is believable as a Louisville attorney who goes from corporate to a criminal case with a possible psychopath female serial killer played wonderfully by Carrie Snodgress. I found Horton's character of Steven Keeney to be believable. He grows conscious over a young girl's fallen death and her mother's inquiry regarding her insurance policy opens a can of worms leading to Virginia McGinnis whose primary motive is to collect money on their insurance policies. We begin a journey with Keeney to discover a disturbing psychopath cold-blooded killer capable of the unthinkable. I won't tell you anything more without spoiling the movie. I was impressed with supporting performances by Elizabeth Ruscio as the victim's mother and I enjoyed the rapport between Keeney's secretary Sara West played by Belita Moreno who is now on the George Lopez Show and himself. I found that to be refreshing and memorable too. I am giving this film an 8 because I think it was weak on some parts and could have explored Virginia's personality and background more clearly but I think it is a very high grade for a television film.

Carrie Snodgress is,without a doubt,one of the most talented and experienced actress of the cinema.She makes the public feel something about her characters,in some moments hating them,in others,loving them.Unfortunately,Carrie Snodgress is now relegated to smaller roles as a supporting actress,wich is certainly not good for us,because it hinders her ability of creating memorable characters,and her vast experience as a well-known respectable actress.Nevertheless,in Death Benefit,Carrie is the protagonist of a tense film,which is,in some moments,sad,and in other moments,involving.The film mixes two genres,drama and suspense and,through the precise and moderate direction,please plenty in telling the story of Virginia Mcginess,a cruel and bad woman that does not hesitate in thrust a young girl from a cliff after becoming aware about the money of the insurance she might get.Peter Horton also offers an excellent interpretation(maybe his best) as the lawyer who finally finds his redemption after helping the victim's family.With a good rhythm,that sometimes,just occasionally,sins due it's morosity,the film is a good demand in the video store for the persons who want to see a good suspense movie and know more about the work of this great actress.Carrie Snodgress proves that some people are born with a natural gift for interpretation and,once you have this gift,you might play the role of a kind and caressing mother(in Pale Rider,with Clint Eastwood),or the role of a cold and seductive killer with determination and hate,who defeats,throw down and hold with an incredible calm a bigger and stronger man in a bathtub(in Murphy's Law),but you will always instigate the public in the theater.

I enjoyed both movies. Both are well acted. This one uses the real names of the lawyer and the evil mother. There's a book about Steven Keeney's quest for justice. In the other one, the focues is on the troubled relationship between the murdered daughter and her mother. The mother appears to be the driver behind finding the truth.

I'm confused. Is this a movie called `Death Benefit' that's about building a case in a homicide investigation, or is it a movie called `Family Neglect' about a professional man's responsibility to his family and his firm. Instead of staying focused on the true story, literally Every Other Scene is about how the protagonist is neglecting his insipid wife, his annoying son, his irritating secretary, or his stupid boss. All of these cardboard characters continually detract from what could have been a solid drama between two strong characters. Also, the director/editor keeps using quick-cut flashbacks in what I guess they think adds intensity, but the montage is so artlessly assembled, these only look like a student filmmaker's attempt to be arty.