Sins of the Mother

As most EM fans, I was excited to view this made for TV movie. First, I read the book the movie is based. Difficult to believe anyone would perform such acts on women; however, I was raised where nothing such occurred. Must admit, it was difficult to watch Liz portray Ruth Coe. Decades of watching Bewitched had America convinced she truly was Samantha Stephens. America's favorite tv witch. Now, along comes this made for tv movie with Liz as a cold heart and exceptional at mind games. Not the Samantha we all recalled. Some convinced themselves it was Samantha's kooky cousin, Serena, playing the role of Ruth Coe. Well, that softened the blow somewhat. Dale Midkiff was rather believable as her son 'Coco'. I've never been involved with anything near this; even remotely. But to watch America's favorite tv witch turn into an evil Serena; well, that was very scary. But I digress. Liz's turn in her 1974 movie, A Case of Rape was terrifying, to say the least. I imagine it would be difficult if not impossible for a rape victim to watch either. Liz had ignored signs of her cancer returning, thinking she had it beat. She filled her time left with making movies up until her passing. Suppose that's how she wished to handle the situation. Nonetheless, she will most prominently be known as America's beautiful nose twitching witch of Bewitched. Thank you.

This movie was based on an actual case, and it appears to relate the components of the real-life story rather well, though most of the acting is rudimentary and the characters are portrayed as one-dimensional; portraying them this way was either (a) due to limitations in writing, or (b) necessary so that the plot could progress without any holes.

In any case, Elizabeth Montgomery completely steals the show and compels the viewer to keep watching. Her performance in this movie is reason enough to watch it, and is testimony to her profound and multi-dimensional abilities as an actor. Elizabeth Montgomery is one of a very small subset of actors that can make virtually any role "go" (a/k/a believable, compelling, thought-provoking).

Sins of the Mother is a real life story about cruelty. Unfortunately, there isn't much to the story. Lots of awful stuff happens, no plot twists, just pain and hate.

I'm sure it's true to life, but not much of a movie. The mom is real evil though.

Who should see this film:

-- Nobody

-- Hateful mothers who seek to control everyone

I'll give Sins of the Mother a staggering 3 out of 10, which is the lowest I'll give any film I actually sat all the way through.

Few stories are worth adapting to the screen. Elizabeth Montgomery gives a mind-bending brilliant performance as Ruth Coe, the beloved and twisted mother, of serial rapist Kevin Coe. It's not enough that her own son has been found, arrested, convicted, and imprisoned as the South Hill Rapist in Spokane, Washington. The South Hill Rapist struck usually in the mornings during his mornings when he jogged. He also struck about forty known victims and there were probably more than fifty knowing some who didn't report the crimes to the authorities. All the while, Mommy Dearest Ruth Coe refuses to believe any evidence and defends her son to the hilt. Elizabeth Montgomery's performance is chilling as is Dale Midkiff who plays her son. Now the real Kevin Coe might be released unless the state of Washington can place him on a island where he can be imprisoned for life as a dangerous sex offender. Even to this day, Spokane has not recovered from the years of terror as the South Hill Rapist struck and attacked his female victims.

A man dominated by his overbearing mother becomes a serial rapist. Based on a true story this explores the relationship between the rapist and his mother.

Despite the unpleasant story line this manages to hold your attention throughout. The crimes themselves are committed off screen. Although the script is possibly a bit too straightforward the cast do a fine job. Elizabeth Montgomery is superb as the spiteful mother and Dale Midkiff is good as her son. Good support is given by Heather Fairfield as Midkiff's unsuspecting girlfriend.

Although it's predictable it's still interesting to see Midkiff's life unravel as his crimes start to catch up with him.

As far a true life made for TV movies go this is pretty good and is worth watching.