Without a Kiss Goodbye (1993) (TV)

Director:

Noel Nosseck

Writer (WGA):

James Duff (written by)

Release Date:

21 March 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Plot:

True story of a middle class mother charged with murdering her baby, despite her denials. Re-tells the story of the medical and police investigations, the later court proceedings and the final outcome. |

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Lisa Hartman	...	Laurie Samuels (as Lisa Hartman Black)
Christopher Meloni	...	Ray Samuels
Peter Jurasik	...	Braddock
James Staley	...	Myron Ogelsby
Gwynyth Walsh	...	Jenine
Martin Kove
David Ogden Stiers	...	Gerald Orr
Cloris Leachman	...	Mrs. Samuels
Tom McBeath
Babs Chula		(as Babz Chula)
French Tickner	...	Mr. Samuels
Sandra P. Grant	...	Clara Davies
Don S. Davis	...	Mr. Harper
Bill Dow	...	Judge Banner
Eric Keenleyside	...	Detective Lovell

Also Known As:

Falsely Accused
The Laurie Samuels Story (USA) (alternative title)

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:L | UK:15 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Green/Epstein Productions

Suspense worthy of Hitchcock.

This movie is a minor miracle, as it has avoided almost every obvious pitfall in re-telling the true story of a mother accused of murdering her baby. Instead of the sentimental, cliche ridden tear-jerker you would expect from such unpromising material, what we have here is a top quality murder mystery suspense thriller. The script keeps you guessing until the closing stages.

A circle of family members come under the shadow of suspicion as all the events of the baby's death are gradually laid bare. Although the mother is charged with murder, there is constant doubt whether she or someone else is the guilty party, or whether there could be an innocent explanation after all. Indeed the suspicion between close family members who themselves don't know the truth of the matter, provides the basis for the tension and suspense which keeps this story interesting.

Along the way, some of the less attractive aspects of the US legal system are laid bare, as well as the unbelievable sexism which is never commented on, but which pervades all the events (I'm a guy and even I noticed it!).

Although the final stages of the movie fall away to a less convincing level of scripting, I'm willing to forgive that for the excellent mystery that's gone before.

Unfortunately, if you live in the USA and you've read all about the facts of the real Laurie Samuels legal case, then there will be no surprises for you and you can go for a walk in the fresh air, instead of watching this movie which will tell you nothing you don't already know.