Like Mother Like Son: The Strange Story of Sante and Kenny Kimes

I think the 1970s, 80s, and 90s are probably my favorite eras in movies, cause they had realism, but still more restrained than today, and more glamour in the score- lots of violins and saxophones, that sophisticated sounding muzak. And those power suits women were known for, the big hair, the makeup, yet there was a down to earth side too. What tied it all together was that these were eras that feel when watching, unmistakably adult and mature. Even the voices of the people were poised and older sounding than people of the same age today, and it helped that we had all of the stars from the glamourous golden age of Hollywood gracing these later years with their lovely old age by then, lending an air of extra sophistication to every project!

All the aforementioned is to say nothing of the film itself, but that's how it made me feel and what it made me think while watching. Then, I come here and find out that it was actually made in the 2000s and not the 1990s like I thought, but no matter- I still say the 1970s, 80s, and 1990s are my favorite decades in film, for all the reasons already mentioned and more- and that this movie counts as that, because it feels like a 1990s film, as do most early 2000s films! So, I'll just say the 1970s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s are my favorite favorites- but especially the first three.

This was an enjoyable TV-movie that introduced me to a true crime case I wasn't aware of before, and upped my appreciation again for CBS-made-for-TV-movies. And per usual, Mary Tyler Moore did a superb job! Watch this for her and Maureen Stapleton (Edith Bunker in "All in the Family") and take a trip back to a simpler time, before streaming, back when network TV still managed to gather people 'round the TV sets at the same time together as a family every week! Bliss.

The story is so bizarre but it is all true. Mary Tyler Moore deserves an Emmy nomination for her performance as the criminal mastermind, Sante Kimes. She really makes you forget her days on the Mary Tyler Moore and Dick Van Dyke shows altogether playing this incestuous control freak. She was true to her character as awful as she was. The real story behind it is such a tragedy. Poor Irene Silverman and other victims who was so suspicious and caught on to their act only to get murdered and discarded like garbage. It is such a shame that they never found her body and probably never will at this point. But what gall is that they filmed this in Australia. Come on, US can't be that expensive. The film is awful but true to the story. I have read several books on the case so you can't say it wasn't made up when it indeed happened.

And Mary Tyler Moore as the sociopath Sante Kimes. Her history is very interesting, and frightening at the same time. Moore gives an excellent performance here, she is not over the top and quite believable as Sante.

Robert Foster delivers a good performance as Ken 'Pappa' Kimes- Sante married this man for his money, enjoyed the high life in Los Angeles, Nevada, the Bahamas and Hawaii. Apparently Sante was capable of anything. She got her husband into a political affair for Jimmy Carter's election (similar in personality to John Wayne Gacy, who worked volunteered for Rosalynn Carter, and Ted Bundy, who volunteered for the Republican Governor in the state of Washington).

Basically Sante flips when her husband does not leave her any money in his will- he leaves it to his children. This kicks in her major criminal behavior, which leads her and her son (who is her devoted slave) to New York City. She manages to get her attractive son to rent an upscale apartment owned by wealthy NYC socialite Irene Silverman, (well- portrayed by Jean Stapleton). The scenes with Stapleton and her boxer, Sophie, are truly upsetting. Silverman was murdered on 4th of July weekend, when her house-man and maid were off for vacation. I believe there was also a scene where they drove from NYC to Manalapan, Florida (The wealthiest city, near Palm Beach ).

In court, Sante stands up and screams to the judge ..."there is no body...so there is no case...I am innocent".... A truly frightening movie, as it is all true. Sante and Kenny were sentenced to 220 years in prison, and presently the state of California is attempting to extradite them for their crimes in California. Highly recommended.9/10

If anyone had read the book(s) about Sante Kimes and seen photos of how she had looked through the years, they would realize how perfect Mary Tyler Moore is in the part. What is stunning is how similar looking Sante and Mary were in their teens and twenties. True, Sante eventually ending up looking like a frumpy Liz Taylor, but Mary was able to cover that territory well. Her performance captures the general sleaziness of Sante's undertakings.

"Like Mother, Like Son" is a study in the degeneration of the potential of a child due to the influence of a narcissistic and soul sick parent. We have to believe that even if the son Kenny had exhibited some personality problems at an early age (I believe that initially he was as normal as any other kid), they need not be cemented into his character as they would eventually be under the misguidance of the psychopathic Sante. Sante is a master at manipulation, which to quote the Bible: "....is as the Sin of Witchcraft",bending husbands too, to her will. You wish that one of her unlucky lovers could have really cared enough about the sons to try to free them from her grasp. The elder son does eventually break free; it comes at a point where he is mature enough to discern that Sante's endless scheming guarantees that a productive life is impossible for anyone connected with her. Mary Tyler Moore has clearly shown us her true range as an actress here because in this film SHE IS Sante Kimes in all her ugly glory. Good acting all around in this disturbing film based on the real like Kimes and her unlucky, lost son.