Too much of everything

Disappointment for a huge fan!

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

A fairly compelling TV movie in which Meredith Baxter fully embodies the persona of Betty Broderick, a spurned wife who killed her ex-husband and his new, younger spouse in a controversial case from 1989.The double-homicide caused tremendous pain among the survivors. This film portrays Betty as having felt entitled to kill after all the humiliation she'd suffered. Indeed, the lone jury holdout from her first trial, which resulted in a hung jury, said he wondered why she hadn't snuffed the creep earlier.Judith Ivey does well as a prosecutor who puts years into an effort to send Betty to prison for most of her natural life. I appreciated the tiny role of her supportive husband; he selflessly urged her to stick with the case -- in stark contrast to the egocentrism of Betty's ex.Betty became a controversial lightening rod -- a bold feminist to some and a heartless killer to others. In the middle stood her traumatized children. A psychiatry witness testified that Betty cared more about revenge than how her kids would deal with a devastating crime. (In one scene, Betty's oldest daughter says her mother warned her to watch her back after testifying against her!)In another troubling sequence, Betty gets roughed up by a sadistic fellow inmate. Tough and brazen as she was portrayed, she can't be having an easy time of it behind bars.

Compelling and powerful sequel. Betty Broderick(Meredith Baxter)is behind bars waiting for her second trial; the first ended in a hung jury. Killing her ex-husband, a powerful San Diego lawyer, and his pretty new wife just doesn't satisfy the proud, spoiled and narcissistic woman trying to avoid embarrassment. This is like looking at a horrific accident...you can't help but watch this woman unravel in her own confusion. This story focuses on the court battle between the assistant D.A. Kerry Wells(Judith Ivey)and Broderick's next attorney in line Jack Earley(Ray Baker); one of many she hasn't fired yet. Betty still believing the world revolves around her and her wishes. Her children and friends appear in court only to show how erratic and confused she is in striving for freedom and the justice she feels is owed to her. The original director Dick Lowry returns as well as most of the cast of A WOMAN SCORNED. Ivey is outstanding; but Baxter is just exceptional and memorable. Other players include: Kelli Williams, Ralph Bruneau, Christine Jansen, Joan McMurtrey, Stephen Root, Clayton Landey and Aaron Freeman.

I think this was a very interesting and well written movie. The substance of the movie was explosive. So very often one spouse works very hard to make a success out of the other mate. In the end they are tossed aside. Once success comes, the spouse who took second place is discarded because the feeling is they are a flaw in the society of the elite and successful. She had good reason to be angry, but there are better and more effective ways of getting even. Murder should never be a consideration. Betty went too far! The actress who played the sister of Linda, The new wife, showed a very uncanny resemblance to the actress who played Linda. I wonder if there is some relationship there.

This is easily one of the most entertaining TV movies ever. Great performances, particularly from Baxter and Ivey. Do not miss this movie if it comes on. There's a reason it's regularly among the top 10 cable shows whenever it's on.