Hasta que la muerte nos separe

This is my favorite "Lifetime" movie of all time, from a production period when the movies were about real crime events and the ensuing trials with quality stars, not the cheesy mass-produced drivel they churn out now. Told in the similar format as a flashback/courtroom docu-drama style of The Tracey Thurmond Story and The Burning Bed, this stars Meredith Baxter and a pre-scandal Stephen Collins, and as a true crime genre and forensic psychology lover, let me tell you, Baxter KILLS it. If you watch interviews with the real Betty Broderick, you will see how Baxter masters her self-deluded, persecution complex, functionally crazy personality. It was probably the best TV movie performance I've ever seen. In real life, Betty Broderick had a lot of supporters and this movie explores that, leaving room for the viewer to make up their own mind. It seems to present things from both sides' fairly--neither party is portrayed as a saint: she did sacrifice everything to make her husband successful and he did seem to trade her in for a newer model when he made it to the top, but the creators still tilt the viewer to the fact that's still not an excuse for murder. There's also the follow-up sequel that covers the court battle, portrayed from the prosecutor's perspective, which is also enjoyable. This is truly a based-on-a-true-story TV movie classic.

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.

I think she had every right to do what she did. Dan put her through hell and I think she was at a breaking point and didn't know what else to do. I give her credit for at least turning herself in. That took guts. Way to go Betty!!! My heart goes out to you!!!!!!!!

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.