Deadly Matrimony

This film, also released as SHATTERED PROMISES, is a gripping TV movie about the corrupt police force of South Chicago. Brian Dennehy plays the honest cop, and what a struggle he has! Everyone, from the police chief to the judges, is being bribed by a mobster named Scalesi, whose right hand man is slickster lawyer Alan Masters, played with sinister undertones by Treat Williams. Masters is married to a beautiful woman named Dianne, played by Embeth Davidtz. Davidtz was in the first eight episodes of MAD MEN and was brilliant in JUNEBUG (2005, see my review). She is a very underrated actress, perhaps because her name is rather difficult to spell. Masters murders his wife because she discovers that he is corrupt as well as being a psycho. This film is said to be based on a true story, and that is not at all hard to believe, as Chicago has been notorious for a century or more as the most corrupt city in America. Isn't it interesting that Barack Obama is a product of the Chicago political machine? No one ever satisfactorily explained how he afforded that huge house in Chicago when he wasn't earning very much. But maybe Brian Dennehy can tell us.

I caught this movie/mini-series on Lifetime and I was hooked. While nothing too original plot-wise, Dennehy does such a good job portraying Sgt. John Reed that it is worth watching it just for his performance.

What ruined it all for me was the subplot involving his wife and family towards the end. His wife (played by Susan Ruttan) is just annoying and she basically says the same recycled lines over and over. Take out the family stuff and this would be a nice TV movie.

This 4 hour mini series that aired in 1992 is about a corrupt lawyer(actually a D.A)played by Treat Williams in a very excellent role for him. But the D. A has a few problems, a policeman is looking into his crimes. The movies follows the woman Allan Master(Treat Williams) is in love with, a cover-up of his own wife's death at his hands. It also shows just how far the police and the courts will go to catch a criminal at work in their own city. Eventually , the remaining women(who know of Master's extra activities ) are called in to testify in court. The ending was a little long, consdering it took me a few days to watch this suspenseful mini series. This mini-series also co-star Embeth Davidtz(Fallen), Brian Dehenny(Never Cry Wolf) and James Rebhorn(The Game,Talented Mr.Ripley,ID4). This mini-series takes place in the city of Chicago. I do not know the exact time this took place. I suspect the 1990's or the late 1980's or the 80's. If you like mini series with a little suspense and a heavy drama/thriller you might like this movie!!BTW, this movie is not currently out there to buy at this time!!!But I bet you could find a copy to rent somewhere!!!

I enjoyed this one very much. It was the beginning, and I especially enjoyed the interaction between Reed and his wife. It was such a great contrast to the other men with their mistresses and dishonesty. The fact that Reed had had a long-past love made the character more interesting and the problem his wife had with that was understandable. Treat Williams did an excellent job as by the end of the movie, you literally hated the man and his angry outbursts. Made you wonder if he would stay alive in prison, with his cocky attitude and hair-trigger temper. In enjoying this one, it just made each following one better and I have enjoyed watching this one and all those that followed. A strong, big, but sensitive cop is my ideal of the best and Brian does a great job with it. He did a splendid job all round.