A Little Thing Called Murder

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

For what this movie was, it was perfect. It was Mommy Dearest meets Weekend at Bernies.

Judy Davis was incredible as a Grifter of extraordinary caliber, manipulating everyone yet seemingly believing in her own innocence. The actress should get an award for her superb performance. As an added bonus, she often (perhaps this was intentional?) looked like another flamboyant life of the party - Serina, Samatha's witch cousin from the original Bewitched television series.

Chelcie Ross and Jonathan Jackson were also a great supporting cast, completely believable in their roles as basically manipulated, yet loved, family members.

Based on a true story, director Richard Benjamin and star Judy Davis (as Sante) nevertheless give this "Lifetime" TV movie a comedy treatment. It's even possible to view "A Little Thing Called Murder" it as a satire of psycho sexy criminal mother movies. Chewing the scenery like it's made of ham, Ms Davis devours her role. Angel-faced (the grown-up) son Jonathan Jackson (as Kenneth "Kenny" Kimes) is her main accomplice. He and the supporting cast stay out of the way and allow Davis and Mr. Benjamin to do their thing. We get why Mr. Jackson went south, but wonder about Davis' character. The subject isn't all that funny, but Davis certainly seems to be having fun. If you relish Davis, chances are you will too.

****** A Little Thing Called Murder (1/23/06) Richard Benjamin ~ Judy Davis, Jonathan Jackson, Chelcie Ross, Cynthia Stevenson

Judy Davis is mesmerizing as the pitiful, warped Sante Kimes. Her sons (the actors) are both wonderful in their roles as well as her husband. Its a nonstop ride of dark comedy and over the top performances that are actually taken from real life scenarios. I think its an Emmy nod for Davis. It still should be made into a feature considering the wealth of real life situations that were never realized because of time, and the fact that this mother/son duo is so rare and full of intrigue as to what took so long as to where they finally ended up in jail for life after several decades of murders, cons, and dysfunction. This movie just touches the surface of the horrors they inflicted as part of their entertainment of life. I loved the movie and the direction is what moves it along so well. Altogether a great TV movie and entertainment.

Yes, it's easy to bash any LIFETIME movie. However, the film "A Little Thing Called Murder" should have been released to theaters. The film tells the true story of Sante Kimes, a flamboyant liar, con artist, manipulator and all-around evil witch. Sante is played by Judy Davis, who should win every possible acting award for this disturbing yet oddly funny black comedy. Sante leads her son, Kenny, (the criminally cute Jonathan Jackson) into a life of merciless horror. She conditions him and shapes his mind the minute he is born. The story of Sante and her son Kenny has been the source of various books and a movie, "Like Mother, Like Son" with Mary Tyler Moore as Sante. That film told the story in a serious and dramatic fashion. In a stroke of creative brilliance, director Richard Benjamin decided to present this material as outrageous and zany. It truly is; if you know the story, you'll know that nobody could come up with it from imagination. Sante is a ruthless, cunning, cold-hearted sociopath...but we see that she doesn't realize that what she does is wrong. She does things HER way and God help anybody who stands up to her. Sante and Kenny murder people, order arson on houses, scam several banks, steal cars, and Lie...Lie...LIE. Lies piled up on top of other lies. Judy Davis and Jonathan Jackson are both incredible in this movie, which manages- and delivers- chuckles in an otherwise grim story. Director Richard Benjamin took the absolute right-on approach with handling this mess of a story. KUDOS to all involved.

Judy Davis will certainly merit an Emmy nomination come the next time they hand those awards out. She is absolutely fabulous in "A Little Thing Called Murder."

Despicable, insane, brutal are just some of the many adjectives that can be used to describe Miss Davis's brilliant performance as grifter Sante Kimes.

This woman, who apparently was born to do evil, is everything you wouldn't want in a person. Manipulative, maniacal and just outrageous. Slapping her child and then blaming the security guard for it is just the tip of the iceberg.

Killing just comes natural to Sante. Whether it's drowning or strangulation, she is up to the task completely.

The worst thing that ever happened to her son was when she is released from prison after a 4 year stint of enslaving maids. She is back home to mold him into her evil ways and what a job she did.

Kudos to the makeup artist for making Davis old and ugly with an almost matronly look that anyone might just sympathize with. That's of course until she opens her mouth. It's as if the whole world is against her, which of course is her basic trouble.

Absorbing film. Judy Davis, you're one heck of a great actress!