Im Netz der schwarzen Witwe

Jaclyn Smith's performance in the true story of Bridget Michaels, who was accused of the murder of her basketball coach husband Ron (Timothy Carhart) in Longmont, Carolina, is all about her hair. Sometimes an actresses' narcissism can add to their characterisation, but here it only highlights Smith's limited skill. She can play anger and petulance and even sarcasm to a degree, and produces tears for the police re-enactement of Ron's accidental shooting, but her southern accent is nasal and she only displays a model's depth in repose. However, in one scene Smith is photographed unflatteringly to look puffy, and she gives an odd movement of her mouth at the conclusion. Although less beautiful than Smith and often overplaying sensitivity, at least Diana Scarwid as Ron's former wife acts simply and her anger is funny.

The teleplay presents Ron as a victim of Bridget's aspirations, though Cathcart's monotonously dull performance throws our empathy back on her, and the community's faith adds a few touches eg. When Bridget's employer discovers her fraud, he goes to his minister, they pray for guidance, and apparently God advises to tell Ron. Bridget is described to Ron as `She's either evil or she's crazy and either way she's gonna ruin you', and a laugh line is `They didn't send Kojak. They sent the voluntary fire department with a first aid kit'. A tape Ron dictates is used as evidence by the prosecutor though we don't know who Ron has made the tape for, and the trial jury are allowed to practice fire the murder weapon (!), to show how easy it would be for a woman to use.

Director Michael Scott inexplicably uses a lot of shots of Carhart's bottom, with cliched slow motion and tilted camera and a photocopier flash for an edit, he does provide suspense for the murder, with the music of composer Philip Giffin, and turns the dialogue down for a scene of exposition.

Buy the book! The book is far better than the movie could EVER think about! Bridget Michaels, is actually Barbara Stager....Ron Michaels is also known as Russell Stager. The book goes into more detail about the crimes, the events surrounding the victims and how Barbara's mind was really working at the time. It starts off by giving the reader an idea of what Barbara's life was like from the start of her first marriage. How her first husband was killed and the events of their marriage that eventually led up to murder. It also gives an acount of her life before meeting her second husband, which his murder is what put her behind bars. If you really want an inside view of what it was like for Barbara, her victims, and how the day-to-day battle went in court that finally landed her a 20 year sentence in a women's correctional institute, GET THE BOOK! She is due to be out in 2006 which is very true. She lived in North Carolina and committed the murders here. I feel that when she comes up for release, we will be seeing more about this case. The families of those victims will fight hard to keep her locked up. She has children also and I feel that she may try to make some contact with them once she is released. The movie on TV is small beans compared to the book. Get the book and you'll see, it is soooo much better than the movie.

i think it is time to let this poor old woman out of prison....she has done her time and she deserves a chance...supervision for sure but if prison works well then maybe it has worked for her so give her a chance and lose the hatred and forgive her...none of us are perfect..i am sure if it was someone you loved you would want her to have a chance...she can get a job and be a productive member of society...give back...if she has remorse she will do whatever she has to to be forgiven...god is love and forgiveness...this is what we all want and need...let go of the past and focus on today....maybe the world will be a better place if we can do this...i hope you get the chance that you have earned and deserve Barbara

Besides Jaclyn Smiths good looks her acting is quite good. I enjoyed this movie of a woman who apparently has no problem offing the men in her life. I think the strange thinking that killing a partner will solve problem is a mind bender in itself and is just interesting to watch. No blood and gore thankfully, but a nice twist in the story. The man, a Athlethic Coach she meets is breaking up from an amicable first marriage and falls for Jaclyns' good looks right away. His first wife is having remorse over the break up of their marriage, since she initiated the end of the marriage. She's a real nice woman, but he's enjoying his new wife until the money matters he thought were fine, are in fact in really bad shape, thats when we see just how dangerous Jaclyn is. I really enjoyed this TV movie and want to know where i can purchase ("before he wakes" and other) movies that are not sold in stores or on amazon? any good suggestions? thanks

About Barbara and Russ Stager. While Barbara was from Durham, North Carolina, I am not quite sure why this film took place in Colorado.

As previously mentioned, Jaclyn Smith is Barbara Stager(who is ready for parole in 2009). While Smith is limited, she paints a believable picture of a narcissistic woman, capable of murdering her husband to acquire whatever new material possessions she desires.

In real life, her first husband was also murdered. It is surprising she married a high school basketball coach. Perhaps because he was able prey, a guileless, honest man trying to be a father to her orphaned son.

There are some interesting scenes, like when they move into a new upscale home, and Ron finds a "box of bills" under the bed- apparently she handled all the refinancing and innumerable bank loans-without his knowledge. There is an amusing scene where a notary at the bank approves her latest loan for $25,000.00 without the husbands signature. "Because I know you from church" the bank officer notarizes the loan. Were the people this ignorant? I highly doubt it.

Also another scene where Smith's boss (TV station manager) talks to his minister to get advice about whether to tell her husband about Barbara's antics- Please. Apparently these little scenes are disclaimers to protect the less-than innocent.

Diana Scarwid is believable as Ron's first wife, who suspects Barbara from the start. Hope Lange is very good as Barbara's mother- apparently a critical and overbearing woman.

The disingenuous segments involving "good church-going" people are not necessary. Please give the audience some credit. People choose to do the things they do. The station manager loaned Barbara money, and was indirectly complicit with her deceptions. Now I will have to re-read the book, as I question some of the motivations for the making of this film.