Tom Weston has to be one of the most repellent characters in any film of the 1990s. In "Deadly Vows," the smooth-talking Tom is married to Helen, a beautiful and devoted woman. Yet he squanders that precious relationship by committing bigamy with young Bobbi Gilbert, who becomes the second Mrs. Weston.
It is shocking to contemplate that the film was based on a true story. From the outset, the narcissistic Tom was a dirty old man, stealing the innocence of young Bobbi. An ordinary factory worker and naïve girl, Bobbi is swept off her feet, then makes the fateful decision to marry Tom, knowing that he is married. She believed that would be "our little secret."
The most interesting character in the film was Helen, the long-suffering wife, who is finally forced to take a stand against her husband by testifying against him. Helen makes the right call and puts the "Ol' Saginaw Flash" away for twenty years.
One of the best scenes in the film is the denouement that takes place in the prison yard. Ol' Saginaw is regaling his fellow inmates with one of his yarns about how he seduced young Bobbi. Grinning and leaning in to emphasize his words, Tom speaks as if has forgotten that he ordered Bobbi's execution.
A grim and depressing true story of human depravity.
It is shocking to contemplate that the film was based on a true story. From the outset, the narcissistic Tom was a dirty old man, stealing the innocence of young Bobbi. An ordinary factory worker and naïve girl, Bobbi is swept off her feet, then makes the fateful decision to marry Tom, knowing that he is married. She believed that would be "our little secret."
The most interesting character in the film was Helen, the long-suffering wife, who is finally forced to take a stand against her husband by testifying against him. Helen makes the right call and puts the "Ol' Saginaw Flash" away for twenty years.
One of the best scenes in the film is the denouement that takes place in the prison yard. Ol' Saginaw is regaling his fellow inmates with one of his yarns about how he seduced young Bobbi. Grinning and leaning in to emphasize his words, Tom speaks as if has forgotten that he ordered Bobbi's execution.
A grim and depressing true story of human depravity.