In the Best of Families: Marriage, Pride & Madness (1994) (TV)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Jeff Bleckner

Writers (WGA):

Jerry Bledsoe (book)
Robert L. Freedman (teleplay)

Release Date:

16 January 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Vendetta | Revenge | Family Relationships | Nightmare | Boy

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Kelly McGillis	...	Susie Lynch
Harry Hamlin	...	Fritz Klenner
Keith Carradine	...	Tom Lynch
Holland Taylor	...	Florence Newsom
Jayne Brook	...	Kathy
Ken Jenkins	...	Bob Newsom
Elizabeth Wilson
Louise Latham	...	Delores Lynch
Wayne Tippit
Tom Aldredge
Anne Pitoniak
Marian Seldes	...	Justice Susie Sharp
Nick Searcy
Tristan Tait	...	Ian Perkins
Colleen Flynn

Also Known As:

Bitter Blood (International: English title) (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

200 min | Brazil:150 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:16

Company:

Ambrosia Media Group

Trivia:

Evan Rachel Wood's TV debut.

Not the best tv movie, but based on true events

As many tv movies go, this two-part mini-series could sometimes be weak in the writing and acting departments, but still held a fascination because a) the events are true, and b) the climax took place just a few miles from my parents' house. In fact, I was acquainted with a relative of one of the families involved.

Some have commented on the lack of plausibility of the story, but the movie stayed true to the actual events for the most part. In fact, it even left out some factual details that did not seem implausible, but real life is often stranger than fiction. (I recommend reading Jerry Bledsoe's book "Bitter Blood," where the entire story will blow you away. The movie is based on this book.)

Regardless of the weak nature of a tv movie-of-the-week, including the disruptions for commercials when I first saw it broadcast over two nights, the series of tragedies that unfolded were still heart-wrenching and made my pulse race. If you can get past those usual weaknesses, you will find an amazing true story of a strange couple who, when put together, seemed to lose all perspective on reality and unleashed a diabolical plot to retain full custody of the woman's two little boys from a previous marriage. If the movie is available for rental, it's probably worth checking out, but not as light-hearted viewing.