A Woman Scorned: The Betty Broderick Story (1992) (TV)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Dick Lowry

Writers (WGA):

Amy Wallace (article)
Joe Cacaci (written by)

Release Date:

1 March 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Plot:

After sixteen years of marriage and four children, Betty Broderick's high-powered attorney husband decides...

Plot Keywords:

Lawyer | Extramarital Affair | Murder | Based On Article | Adultery

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Meredith Baxter	...	Betty Broderick
Stephen Collins	...	Dan Broderick
Michelle Johnson	...	Linda Kolkena Broderick
Kelli Williams	...	Kate Broderick
Stephen Root	...	Kevin McDonald
Lori Hallier	...	Joan
Christine Jansen	...	Susan McDonald
Debra Jo Rupp	...	Alice
Tricia O'Neil	...	Margaret Fitzpatrick
Ralph Bruneau	...	Larry Broderick
Clayton Landey	...	Jerry
Katherine Cortez
Jandi Swanson	...	Debbie Broderick
Jordan Christopher Michael	...	Thomas(Tommy)Broderick
Aaron Freeman	...	Grant Broderick

Also Known As:

Till Murder Do Us Part

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:12 (parts 1 & 2) | Australia:M | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

San Diego, California, USA

Company:

Lowry-Rawls Productions

Quotes:

Dan Broderick: I know this isn't the exact ring you asked for, but I thought it'd be more of a surprise. And you know... I kind of like this one better.
Betty Broderick: [surprised] You liked it better?
Dan Broderick: Well... uhh...
Betty Broderick: [calmly] Yes, you liked it better. And that's what counts, really, I mean, that's what it's all about. You make it, you spend it on what you want.
Dan Broderick: [flabbergasted] Geez, Bets, it isn't like it cost any less.
Betty Broderick: [becoming ballistic] Exactly! So, why not get me what I want? *You* certainly got what you wanted, even though you had to spend an extra 7 grand to get it when you wanted it!
Debbie Broderick: [frightened] Can you guys just cool it?
Dan Broderick: [smirking] It's Christmas. If your Mom wants to behave like a spoiled brat, let's let her.
Betty Broderick: What kind of person gets his wife a Christmas present she *doesn't* even want?
Dan Broderick: [calmly, while clutching Betty's wrist as she holds the ring box] It's a beautiful ring.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Gabriel Byrne/Alanis Morissette (#21.4)" (1995)

Great Movie

"Till Murder do us Part: The Betty Broderick Story" is a great movie. I have read a few "true" books about Betty herself, including interviews; and if she only speaks the truth- then I feel sorry for her. The movie was very good, but in my opinion, it made Betty look like a spoiled crazy housewife who annoyed her husband and children, causing him to seperate from her. That is not how it really happened- Dan came home drunk almost every night, with the smell of Linda lingering on him- for almost 3 years...and the whole time telling Betty that he wasn't having an affair. This confused her; she wanted to believe her husband. Then he started becoming very un-loving and cold, calling her "fat, old, ugly, boring, and stupid", and even saying that he didn't want the kids anymore.

After all the years of working and raising a family, Betty snapped and couldn't handle Dan's behavior, or him leaving her. Wouldn't you feel betrayed and used if you found out that your partner has been cheating on you for 3 years? I would.

I do not think that Betty should have murdered her husband and Linda (although she states that it was a total accident), but Dan should not have done what he did. Betty is a smart, intelligent lady who, in my opinion, has served her time and has learned her lesson.