Final Vision

This is a TV movie based on the true story of Green Beret doctor Jeffery McDonald who is accused of the 1970 murders of his wife and two children in their house at Fort Bragg. It is told from the perspective of crime writer Joe McGinniss whom MacDonald asks to author a book about him in the months leading up to his trial.

Thoughts as I started watching this... Scott Foley is wearing a terrible wig, Is this a Lifetime movie? I'm watching it on Discovery channel, weird. Why is Scott Foley even in this? Did he piss Shonda Rhimes off somehow and get blacklisted? The writer dude (Dave Annable) is smoking in almost every scene, is that to signify that its the early 70's because its about the only thing that does. Not much attention given to details of the time, even the clothing which would have been easy.

Thoughts as I finished watching Final Vision... Wow that was super good, not the quality or anything, this remained a very cheaply done B-movie but the story is fascinating, Watching McGinniss interview people, get both sides of the story, spend time with McDonald and slowly figure him out, I had no idea how this was going to play out. If he would be found guilty or not. The flashbacks to the murder are gruesome, Jeffery McDonald is charismatic and quite nuts as it turns out, Scott Foley does a good job with this multifaceted character Joe McGinniss also. A haunting story. Worth a watch.

So the movie is based on true events/characters/facts - and this does either bother the viewer or it makes it more enticing. That is up to you to decide. The drama is quite nice, the problem is that it plays out like a TV movie of the week. And while I don't like to diminish things, I think you know what I'm trying to say with that.

Acting is ok, though you have seen better and the twists and turns are a bit predictable. The ending I didn't see that coming, but I'm not sure how many people will view that in a positive light. Not sure why someone felt this had to be made, but I guess the controversy around it makes it a fine "subject" ... a fictional movie with better acting and script might have a done a lot to elevate this

For those who haven't seen the 80s movie Fatal Vision, this is worth a watch. It's still one of the most puzzling true life murders ever. This movie was a little disappointing. It doesn't show that much more substance than the 80s movie. The only new thing is the point of view of true crime writer Joe McGinnis. It would have been better if it went more into the evidence that was in Jeffrey MacDonald's favor to balance things out. Another fault is the re-enactments were a little do dimly lit. Not clear enough. The story should have gone more to present day.

Acting was alright. Gary Cole in the 80s movie was more chilling than Scott Foley. Dave Annable plays the writer he is aged appropriately for the movie.

Worth one watch for anyone interested in true crime.

I was so excited to get another movie on this tragic case. I like Scott Foley and Dave Annable, but every actor in this movie was awful. It is a poor portrait of a great book and the movie,Fatal Vision. If I was seeing this case for the first time (in this movie), I would have been lost. I have been following this case since 1984, have all the books and the movie Fatal Vision, and frequent some forums. I was bored to tears with this one, It touched on no points of why he was actually convicted. Maybe I'm just spoiled with Fatal Vision and their cast and the thoroughness of that movie. jmo of course