The Disappearance of Vonnie

This story takes place in Wisconsin. I was half heartedly watching my tape when I heard the name Appleton. I wasn't sure where it was taking place until I heard them say Green Bay & then I figured it was Wisconsin. Watching further confirmed it.

Anxiously awaiting the outcome I could really feel Corrine's frustration. I did not know it was based on fact until the end. It left me glad but sad and wanting to know more.

A man and his wife are not getting along because of the wife's jealousy and drinking problems. When the wife disappears, her sister begins a vigorous search involving the local police, state government, and a television crime show. What she finds out stuns the entire community. Good drama with lots of fine performances; based on a true story.

My problem is the inability to discern the real characters and the real sentence for the crime committed. The movie clearly showed Ron RicKman as the killer but I had to search to find his true sentence....he died in prison YAY!! For the crime.

decent performances, including Ann Jillian, as Vonnie's sister, and Graham Beckel as Detective Broadhearst (look for him in "Jennifer 8" as the villain, and also in the more recent "Brokeback Mountain").

Joe Penny delivers a decent performance as Ron Rickman, a man who spent time in a hospital for the criminally insane, after shooting two men (it is never explained how, or why). It may have helped the story if the writer had delineated the characters a bit more.

Alicia Witt and some of the other neighborhood teens belong to a youth group ("TOPS") which is run by Penny, apparently as an aide to the community, and to help teens become interested in positive community issues. Because Penny is believable as somewhat shady, and Gillian as the sister, the film holds some interest. The characterization of Vonnie is weak; a woman who smokes too much, and we just see her interaction with daughter Amy briefly, in the beginning of the film.

Overall passable, not the worst we are being offered. I would rather watch this than a soccer mom who solves crimes, which is the latest attempted serial offered by LMN network. 6/10.

Another true story starring Joe Penny and Ann Jillian. When her sister disappears she tries to find out the truth. Joe's character as Ron Rickman is brought to life and he tries to make everyone believe he is the one that has been left, he doesn't know where she could be. When questioned he cannot produce evidence that he says has been left behind by his missing wife. Add to this that a little girl has been left without a mother and the father tries to get a little too close to the babysitter then the twists and turns keep you guessing as to who could have done this to a mother and wife. Joe performance once again speaks for itself. Ann Jillian does great as the sister. Jos also adds a fear factor with Ann's character when she tries to question him and get answers.