Dangerous Offender: The Marlene Moore Story (1996 TV Movie) User Reviews

Beautiful portrayal but not quite what I expected

[KwirkyTaz · 8/10 · 27 September 2005]

Having lived in Ontario my whole life, in the same town that Marlene Moore grew up in, I've heard stories of her from my parents, grandparents and family members. So when I found out that they would be filming a movie about her, and that the beginning would be shot on my street, and her house quite close to mine I was excited.

If you read the book Rock a Bye Baby, which is about Marlene Moore you get quite the different image of her as a person, she was considered awkwardly beautiful by people who really had the chance to know her with the exception of her own family who frequently abused her as a child, with the exception of one of her brothers. Also, if you live in my area and are intelligent enough to listen to those around you who knew her from school you'd find out that she was truly wounded before she even set foot in an institution, she was always defensive and what would seem like an unwillingness to learn in a school environment was actually embarrassment over the fact that she was unable to.

Marlene did not deserve the life she was given, with the lack of help she desperately needed to receive. It was the government and the people around her that aided further in her death by not attempting to understand her needs and why she did what she did. I still find myself angered that she was put in jail for self-defense from a man who tried to rape her. As her brother once said, "They didn't know what to do with her so they locked her away and it killed her." I believe in that with all my heart.

Rest in peace Marlene, you deserve it so much.

A grim thought-provoking story of an incorrigible girl

[Castor-11 · 8/10 · 3 February 1999]

"Dangerous Offender" is the story of a seemingly anti-social girl, and how she got that way. It's based on a true story, and though I was irritated by the one-note depiction i.e. ever scowling, of the title character, and the hard-to-believe dedication of her lawyer, I'm forced to accept that life does imitate art, and that there are people out there like that.

The movie succeeds, for me, because, although there's little softening of the title character's demeanour until almost the end, one is gradually moved to sympathy for her, as the movie shows how she got to her present state - which proves to be self-destructive, rather than anti-social.

Truly a moving movie, which will bring a lump to your throat, when you think on it - which will be often.

Despite its many flaws,(including that it's hard to watch, sometimes, because of bodily functions, and suicide attempts)this is another production that I'm proud to call Canadian.

Very Very Good

[asbury26 · 9/10 · 26 August 2001]

This film was on last week and although at that time of the day (around 6pm) the quality of the movies is almost never good (at least here on Mexican TV), I couldn't switch the TV off. The story about Madelene Moore really touches you. She doesn't come across as a very sympathetic character at first, but seeing the whole film, you just want her so succeed. This film really leaves you thinking. And i think that basically due to the great acting of Brooke Johnson. I had never heard of her before nor knowingly seen her in another film, but this was great great acting. Compliments to Brooke. I hope to see her in another film soon.

great film

[2222 · 10/10 · 2 July 2003]

This is a great film. Touching and strong. The direction is without question breathless. Good work to the team. I feel so sorry for Marlene, By the grace of God go you or I

No one could survive

[angiebbgrl · 5/10 · 12 February 2005]

As i sat and watched their portrayal of Marlene, I was devastated! Marlene Moore was my aunt!!! Her death was not surprising to us, as the torment she endured throughout her life, no one could survive!!! I found truths and lies all throughout the movie...and some just hard to swallow...She was a danger to herself, but would give you the shirt off her back...I remember the woman who sat at my bedside, while i was hospitalized, for hours she sat with me. She is NO monster, Just someone who they let slip through!!She was deemed Dangerous Offender, what should the system be deemed for letting her die? I truly feel of all the people who live within our system, there should be more people willing to help!