Twisted Desire

"Jennifer Stanton" (Melissa Joan Hart) is a 17-year-old girl who is totally obsessed with her boyfriend, "Brad" (David Lascher). Her father, "William Stanton" (Daniel Baldwin), recognizes her willful nature and tries to keep a handle on her as much as possible. This strict attitude on his part creates tension between Jennifer and Brad, which results in Brad breaking up with her. At the same time, a new guy named "Nick Ryan" (Jeremy Jordan) appears on the scene and shows some interest in Jennifer. Wanting to get Brad back, Jennifer decides to use Nick to solve all of her problems. And she knows no boundaries. Be that as it may, for a made-for-television movie which was supposedly based on a true story, this particular film wasn't too bad. I use the word "supposedly" because some of the actual facts of the case are embellished way out of proportion. But that's probably to be expected from Hollywood. Additionally, I didn't care for the ending, which was rather predictable and abrupt. Again, although it wasn't that bad, I give it an average rating.

I thought this movie was exciting because it was a true story. The directer made us take a look at the characters and developed them very well. I never would have guessed the ending, because they covered it up so well. This is one thriller not to be missed!!!! I'd give it a 8/10. Well done!

I have to say that this TV movie was the work that really showed how talented Melissa Joan Hart is. We are so used to, now, seeing her in a sitcom and I really hope that a TV station will show this TV movie again soon as it will show the Sabrina fans that MJH shines in a drama. Seen as we have watched her on Sabrina now for now 5 years and so to give the viewers a taste of her much unused talent would be a plus. Melissa plays her role so well in this wanting her parents "done away" with so she can be with the guy she loves. One thing that all Sabrina viewers will notice, Melissa works with David Lascher in this, well before he took the role of Josh on Sabrina. So it would be kind of neat to see this currently whenever it gets aired again. Hopefully MJH gets some good roles in movies or even in more TV Movies, sort of like Kellie Martin who has always shined in TV Movies. Lots of unused talent waiting to bust out when it comes to Melissa Joan Hart, you shine always Melissa!!!

I caught this movie from the murder-scene and watched it from there. Looking back, I miss that hour and a half of my life.

The acting is pretty bad. Melissa Joan Hart (who I really liked in "Clarissa Explains It All" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch") was insanely horrible in this. Turns out, she can't do drama. Or acting, for that matter.

The plot holes were numerous. Watch (if you dare) and you'll see. It was corny. Besides MJH, the rest of the acting was pretty atrocious also (especially by the kid who pulled the trigger, the guy who played Nick). The writing was weak.

The end sequence went from pretty cool to bad and then back to pretty cool again with the last scene. But even the titles explaining what happens to the characters at the end leave you angry.

3/10.

I must say that back then they knew how to make good based on true story movies. The script and acting was impressing. And I Have seen ca. 3000 movies. I give it a strong 7 out of 10

Repressed teenager Jennifer Stanton meets Nick Ryan at a gas station and soon forms a close relationship with him, which she keeps secret from her parents. Nick has a reputation for having spent time in jail on an assault charge. When Jennifer's parents catch them in bed together and chase Nick out of the house, Jennifer continues dating Nick secretly. Jennifer is grounded for the rest of the school year.

Nick visits Jennifer's house, and proclaims his love for her. He also states what he thinks of the harsh manner in which Jennifer's father, William, treats her. William threatens to turn Nick in for Statutory Rape, and to "kick his ass" if he doesn't get lost. The next morning, William finds his car vandalized and contacts the police. Nick is questioned, but denies knowledge of the incident.

Jennifer convinces Nick to get his grandfather's pistol and kill her parents. While he plans out the murder, Jennifer tells her friends at school that she and Nick have broken up. She also presents herself to William and Susan as their idea of a model teenager. William and Susan let their daughter go for once to a slumber party.

After the killings, Jennifer moves into her grandmother's house and rekindles her relationship with her ex-boyfriend, Brad. She calls the police anonymously with information that leads to their discovery of the gun. With Nick in custody, the case seems to be closed. However, Detective Daniels suspects that Jennifer knows more regarding this case than she let on during police interrogation. When confronted, Jennifer claims that Nick was angry at her parents for not letting him see her, thereby explaining Nick's motive. Meanwhile, Jennifer's best friend Karen Winkler finds her diary; it reveals how Jennifer used Nick to do away with her parents so that she could have Brad.

Karen visits Nick in jail, and tells him how he's been set up by Jennifer. When he confronts Jennifer about it, she blames Nick entirely for the murders. Upset, he admits to the police that he killed William and Susan, but that it was Jennifer's idea. Karen tries and fails to find evidence of Jennifer's involvement. When Jennifer finds out about Karen's investigation, she threatens to implicate Karen in the murders.

At Nick's murder trial, Jennifer falsely testifies that Nick harassed her. Eventually, a wired Brad manipulates Jennifer into admitting responsibility for her parents' deaths and the police arrest her.

An epilogue reveals that Jennifer Stanton was tried as a juvenile, while Nick Ryan is still in prison.