A Date with Darkness: The Trial and Capture of Andrew Luster (2003) (TV)

Director:

Bobby Roth

Writer (WGA):

Christopher Canaan (written by)

Release Date:

11 August 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Andrew Luster, the heir to the Max factor fortune, is convicted of rape on 86 counts. This Lifetime original movie recounts the rapes committed by the infamous Andrew Luster and the women who brought him to justice.

Plot Keywords:

Revenge | Long Title | Date Rape | Fugitive | Detective

Cast

Jason Gedrick	...	Andrew Luster
Marla Sokoloff	...	Connie
Lisa Edelstein	...	Maeve Fox
Sarah Carter	...	Sarah
Stefanie von Pfetten	...	Teri
Winston Rekert	...	Fred
Tom Butler	...	Roger Diamond
Shane Meier	...	Daniel
Robert Wisden	...	Sam
Samantha Ferris	...	Det. Katherine Cooke
Kevin McNulty	...	Judge Riley
Kavan Smith	...	Anthony Wold
Jody Thompson	...	Amy
Rebecca Toolan	...	Mrs. Luster
Kerry Sandomirsky	...	Dr. Dyer

Also Known As:

A Date with Darkness (UK)

Runtime:

USA:120 min (including commercials) | Philippines:86 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Carlton America

Trivia:

When the film started production, Andrew Luster was still at large after having been convicted in absentia of 86 counts of rape, poisoning and drug possession and sentenced to 124 years in prison. The film was supposed to end with a picture of the real Andrew Luster, asking the audience to notify authorities if they should see them. On June 20, 2003 Andrew Luster was captured in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, while the film was still shooting. The ending was re-written to incorporate Luster's capture.

Good movie, but don't expect too much explanation

This incident reminds me of the Alex Kelly case in Ct. Rich boy rapes young girls and finally 3 of them have the courage to come out and accuse him only to him to leave the country while on trial. Both get convicted in absentia. This was a pretty straight forward movie. I found it very scary that the women had no idea they were drugged. Only because the nut taped everything were they able to find out what had happened to them. THere are things that were not explained. Why was the Max Factor heir doing this, what was reason? As I understand he was raised by his mother and she was a regular type of person, who was not into the the rich and famous crowd. Oh well. Another thing is that they never touched on how old he was. This was older guy, hanging out with a bunch of 17 year olds. I am normally not a fan of the the female star, who IMO was part of the downfall of the Practice, but she is very good in this movie. there was a scene in this movie in which one of the women are hesitant to testify because she is afraid he might get away with it. Normally I would not understand her fear, there were tapes of him raping these women. But we are talking about California, a place wherre you can kill Natalie Wood and get way with it. I do feel there is a culture in California that does idolize the rich more then anywhere in this country. So I felt for her.

I also want to know why the Judge seemed so taken with Luster? He seemed very hostile to the Prosecution. Which once again might be California thing, because most places the judge is usually pro prosecution. THe movie was suppose to end before he was caught. But DOG the Bounty Hunter took care of business and found him sunning down in Mexico. Apparently not really acting like he was in hiding. I remember when that happened and the FBI seemed very embarrassed that they did not catch the guy and even had Dog kept in jail. I that would of been a interesting story in itself. This is a good movie to waste a rainy day with. THe performances are all very good and it is a swift moving movie.