Bis daß ein Mörder uns scheidet

"Till Murder do us Part: The Betty Broderick Story" is a great movie. I have read a few "true" books about Betty herself, including interviews; and if she only speaks the truth- then I feel sorry for her. The movie was very good, but in my opinion, it made Betty look like a spoiled crazy housewife who annoyed her husband and children, causing him to seperate from her. That is not how it really happened- Dan came home drunk almost every night, with the smell of Linda lingering on him- for almost 3 years...and the whole time telling Betty that he wasn't having an affair. This confused her; she wanted to believe her husband. Then he started becoming very un-loving and cold, calling her "fat, old, ugly, boring, and stupid", and even saying that he didn't want the kids anymore.

After all the years of working and raising a family, Betty snapped and couldn't handle Dan's behavior, or him leaving her. Wouldn't you feel betrayed and used if you found out that your partner has been cheating on you for 3 years? I would.

I do not think that Betty should have murdered her husband and Linda (although she states that it was a total accident), but Dan should not have done what he did. Betty is a smart, intelligent lady who, in my opinion, has served her time and has learned her lesson.

Meredith Baxter(of FAMILY TIES fame) received a much deserved Emmy nomination for her rich, compelling portrayal of convicted murderess Betty Broderick who shot and killed her ex-husband(Stephen Collins) and his new bride(Michelle Johnson). Though the supporting cast is good(particularly Kelli Williams), this is Baxter's moment of triumph, effectively and completely sheading her nice TV sitcom mother image with a knock-out performance that makes this one of the most stylish and enjoyable TV movies ever, as well as one of the most frighteningly realistic. Be assured, even though she's playing a convicted killer, most of my sympathies rest with Baxter's character. She makes you feel her rage, and by the end of the film you can't help but feel that Betty was the true victim. This was such a big hit when it aired for the first time on network TV that it was followed by a sequel: HER FINAL FURY, with Baxter and most of the earlier film's supporting cast reprising their original roles.

First off Meredith Baxter turns in a superb performance as Betty Broderick. She clearly was head and shoulders above all the others who had roles in this made for TV film. It is her and really her alone that makes this picture shine. Second, having lived in San Diego at the time this crime went down and watching it being literally beaten into the ground by the news media there I never thought I would find myself watching a movie in a theater or even on TV about this story. However I did and am glad I did. This was a good movie. Third, Yes Betty Broderick had a couple screws loose but I couldn't help myself feeling that Dan sort of got what he had coming to him.

Meredith Baxter gives a superb performance in this film and its sequel. She captures the cold narcissism of Betty Broderick and manages to play scenes of rage in a surprisingly subtle manner. For example, in the scene in which Betty trashes her ex-husband's house, Meredith approaches the destruction with great nonchalance, which is ultimately more frightening than if she had played it full-on. She taps into the smugness and sense of entitlement that were strong components of Betty Broderick's personality and allowed her to murder two people in cold blood.

Betty Broderick worked hard as a wife, and Mother, and got a raw deal when her husband of 16 years, Dan, left her for his young, pretty, secretary (Linda). He finally asked for a divorce, and this was the beginning of the end. A betrayed Betty went on the war path, and made Dan's life miserable, which led to her shooting and killing him, and his new bride, Linda. She worked hard for years supporting Dan when he was in law school, and raised their 4 children as well. Excellently portrayed by Meredith Baxter, this movie was fabulous. Part II, her Final Fury, the last chapter was also an excellent movie!