I was moved to write this review when seeing the "Front page" highlighted review where they put in their title "weak story". How disgusting to call the tragic lives and DEATHS of TWO human beings a "Weak story"...it wasn't a story. Did they stick to the headlines, yes, Just a TV movie, yes, could have went much deeper, of course. But this wasn't a script from some one's head.
This tragedy, Anna being a sort of icon or anti-icon among many cultural groups, always pained me right in the heart. And though I've seen me DVD of it several times I cannot help busting into tears during the funeral scene. Just the thought of it literally hurts. The movie itself deserved a decent budget real theatrical movie, or at least a cable one (HBO, Netflix, Showtime, something where they could have made it rated R and got serious with the WHOLE story) But this is all we have. Thankfully it is at least well acted mostly, and does stick to the facts, even if it is just the highlights. Anna of course, as a real person, was both sympathetic and not, most are torn, she did bring a lot of it on herself and as with many who gain fame or fortune, cannot seem to find happiness in THAT fact, and need more...usually drugs or booze or some other self destructive razor blade instead of being happy with what most of us would dream of getting the chance to enjoy. Danny of course was the even bigger tragedy, and has all the sympathy without question. Played remarkably by Caleb Barwick, who as the Tween Danny did a heart wrenching job as he tries to parent his own parent. Same with the late teen Danny. I don't think I'll ever be able to watch that funeral scene without some serious heartache and tears. She did a wonderful job in that scene, even though from real reports it was 10 times a worse hysterical breakdown than what she was allowed to deliver, not surprising since such a scene, if played as eye witnesses recount, would possibly cause real trauma, to both the actress (If anyone could manage to actually do it as it really was) and maybe even members of the audience too. (I know I don't think I could watch it without triggering a panic attack had it been as described by real life witnesses. The fact she lasted only 6 months afterwards before her own death is ZERO surprise. I'm not quite sure I would have lasted any longer myself.
In the end, the movie delves only deep enough to get the main points across and it does it well. Well enough to be in any persons collection if you are into dramatic movies. For some reason, though not in subject matter, it reminds me a lot of the 2 Dorothy Stratten movies, Star 80 and Death of a Centerfold. I think it's the overall tragedy aspect rather than similar stories, especially since they are about a murder as opposed to drugs, but they "feel" the same in real world substance. Given a larger budget, better handling (than lifetime), and another 40 minutes to go deeper it would have been , and deserves, an A-list movie as the substance needed (Story) is there and should be told in full.
This tragedy, Anna being a sort of icon or anti-icon among many cultural groups, always pained me right in the heart. And though I've seen me DVD of it several times I cannot help busting into tears during the funeral scene. Just the thought of it literally hurts. The movie itself deserved a decent budget real theatrical movie, or at least a cable one (HBO, Netflix, Showtime, something where they could have made it rated R and got serious with the WHOLE story) But this is all we have. Thankfully it is at least well acted mostly, and does stick to the facts, even if it is just the highlights. Anna of course, as a real person, was both sympathetic and not, most are torn, she did bring a lot of it on herself and as with many who gain fame or fortune, cannot seem to find happiness in THAT fact, and need more...usually drugs or booze or some other self destructive razor blade instead of being happy with what most of us would dream of getting the chance to enjoy. Danny of course was the even bigger tragedy, and has all the sympathy without question. Played remarkably by Caleb Barwick, who as the Tween Danny did a heart wrenching job as he tries to parent his own parent. Same with the late teen Danny. I don't think I'll ever be able to watch that funeral scene without some serious heartache and tears. She did a wonderful job in that scene, even though from real reports it was 10 times a worse hysterical breakdown than what she was allowed to deliver, not surprising since such a scene, if played as eye witnesses recount, would possibly cause real trauma, to both the actress (If anyone could manage to actually do it as it really was) and maybe even members of the audience too. (I know I don't think I could watch it without triggering a panic attack had it been as described by real life witnesses. The fact she lasted only 6 months afterwards before her own death is ZERO surprise. I'm not quite sure I would have lasted any longer myself.
In the end, the movie delves only deep enough to get the main points across and it does it well. Well enough to be in any persons collection if you are into dramatic movies. For some reason, though not in subject matter, it reminds me a lot of the 2 Dorothy Stratten movies, Star 80 and Death of a Centerfold. I think it's the overall tragedy aspect rather than similar stories, especially since they are about a murder as opposed to drugs, but they "feel" the same in real world substance. Given a larger budget, better handling (than lifetime), and another 40 minutes to go deeper it would have been , and deserves, an A-list movie as the substance needed (Story) is there and should be told in full.