Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills (1994) (TV)

Director:

Larry Elikann

Writer (WGA):

Philip Rosenberg (written by)

Release Date:

22 May 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Courtroom | Patricide | Murder | Brother Brother Relationship | Courtroom Scene

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Edward James Olmos	...	Jose Menendez
Beverly D'Angelo	...	Kitty Menendez
Damian Chapa	...	Lyle Menendez
Travis Fine	...	Erik Menendez
Debrah Farentino	...	Judalon Smyth
Julio Oscar Mechoso	...	Lt. Arguello
Michelle Johnson	...	Lisa
Michael Woolson	...	Craig
Vincent Ventresca	...	Nick
Dakin Matthews
John Capodice
Jace Alexander
Dwight Schultz	...	Dr. Jerome Oziel
Robert Gossett	...	Detective Lukes
Michael Durrell	...	Bob Winters

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company:

Braun Entertainment Group

Movie Connections:

Version of Honor Thy Father and Mother: The True Story of the Menendez Murders (1994) (TV)

An interesting version of this case...

And Edward James Olmos, excellent actor that he is, becomes Jose Menendez in this film. Damian Chapa and Travis Fine are also appropriate for the roles of Lyle, and Eric Menendez.

At this point, most are of course familiar with the entire trial, publicity, and players involved. It will be interesting to see how their lives turn out, if they are ever released from prison.

The reality of whether (and how badly) Lyle and Eric were abused is left in question; while it certainly seems feasible, why did they choose murder as the solution?. Apparently, one convinced the other that this was the only way out. In psychology, the phenomenon of "folie a deus" is a case where two conspire to commit murder, more readily than if one person were alone in the scenario.

We are exposed to the lifestyle, the demands of Beverly Hills. Jose Menedez was apparently never satisfied, with women, his children, or his accumulated wealth. Beverly DÁngelo is realistic as Kitty Menedez, she is treated as a disposable decoration, a mere object her husband moves around to suit his career goals.

It has been noted by psychiatrists that in today's era of narcissism, family members are merely: ..."chesspieces, moved at will by the narcissist, to promote his image of success and grandiosity"... Apparently Jose Menendez was a narcissist of the first order. Unfortunately, many people's lives were destroyed and ruined, his offspring never had a chance, and while murder is certainly not to be condoned, one must ask why such cases are so prevalent in American society. 9/10.