Law & Order True Crime

Lyle and Erik Menendez are brothers in wealthy Beverly Hills. In 1989, their controlling Cuban father and their mother are killed in a presumed home invasion. Eventually, the brothers are arrested. Leslie Abramson (Edie Falco) takes on the case uncovering a tale of sexual abuse in the troubled upper class home.

With OJ on their minds, the Law & Order people decides to do their own true crimes series. The Menendez brothers case certainly hits on a couple of the same concepts. The Law & Order "Dun Dun" does distract from its realism. It keeps reminding the viewer of its brand. I love Edie even with her crazy hair. The actors are good. This follows only one side of the case. The prosecution and the police are portrayed only as opponents. It's nowhere near O.J.: Made in America but it's good enough for network TV.

There are some really good docs-dramas out there. The People vs OJ (2016) is one, and Manhunt: Unibomber (2017) is another. The British also make these types of programs, Appropriate Adult (2011) comes to mind. I've seen other movies that cast doubt on the ultimate trial outcomes, and it is these that this production resembles. A recent example of this type of filmmaking would be the brilliant Escape At Dannemora (2018), which questioned the sentence of one of the two escapees, and his further punishment after capture. In style Law & Order True Crime resembles The People vs OJ, yet the bias is definitely on the side of the defendants, enough so that after writing this review I'll look up what happened to the case in recent years. Law & Order shows were always highly charged and topical, and executed with high standards. This is a brilliant addition to their legacy, with full marks to the writers. It's full of suspense and worthy performances, great casting and good camera direction. At eight episodes it was possibly a tad too long, although one could argue the defence was such a burning issue it could perhaps have been longer. I'm full of questions. Great television from America.

I can tell research is rigorously executed. The director focuses on the story of what happened in the courtroom rather than hocus-pocus information that the media bombarded with. His effort to find out truer version of the crime is commendable. The narrative is well-organized in chronological order with appropriate amount of flashback.

On the other hand, Edie Falco's performance is disappointing. Her particular pronunciation (somewhat sounding like lisp) and facial expression (such as opening her eyes extremely big with too much white exposed) stop me from getting into the show every time and are repeated too many times. I will be harsh but honest. She lacks many qualities to be a leading actress.

A lot of these I never realized happen. I was very young when the case was going on. Not going to put any spoilers in here, but who doesn't like true crime and of all things the famous, DUN DUN! Is included. Will there be anymore true crime cases in the future?

I think the first episode came out nice and strong. Edie Falco is such an amazing actress and does a great job in this role. I am pleased with the cast everyone seems right for the roles in which they were placed. Seems the series is doing a good job going off of facts in the case (which this crime happened in 1989) which I love. I remember the story when it was in the headlines,but I was only 17 at the time and so I am excited to see how the case came together against the brothers and finally made it to trial. I am curious if they will be betrayed as victims or villains.. Anyway..great start to this 8 episode mini-series. Actually really excited for next episode. Happy watching.