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"A Little Thing Called Murder" is another TV movie about Sante and Kenny Kimes, the real-life mother and son con artist/murder team. The first film starred Mary Tyler Moore and focused mainly on the murder of Irene Silverman, the New York woman killed for her brownstone and whose body was never found. (Court TV also did a documentary on them.) In this version, the murder of Irene is at the end of the movie. Director Richard Benjamin takes us through the bizarre life of Sante, with each crime a new episode that begins with the title "A Little" - which is how Sante thought of her crimes - A Little Problem with the Maid (slavery), A Little Problem with the Check, etc.

Now in prison, Sante Kimes must be in life as over the top as depicted by Mary Tyler Moore - and if you thought Moore was outrageous, wait until you see Judy Davis sink her teeth into Sante. The approach in this film is more of dark comedy, though much of it is quite shocking. Davis' performance can only be described as out there - and probably accurate. Sante thoroughly corrupts her young son, played here by adorable Jonathan Jackson, which makes his crimes and killings all the more horrible. She sets fire to the family home for insurance; she takes a test drive in a car and holds onto it for a year; her Mexican help are actually slaves; she shoplifts, and when caught, she hits her son and goes after the security guard; the two claim to the cops that the security guard slapped Kenny and leave; she hides her husband's death so she can clean out his Bahamian bank accounts; and finally, of course, the Silverman case. In real life, not shown here, Sante actually posed as Silverman, an 82-year-old, in order to sign some papers.

Catch Davis performing "Santa Baby" with a boa and you'll know you've entered the twilight zone. She's a scream. The film is very well done, interesting, and intriguing. But don't look for motives or reasons. The writers deliberately didn't explore them. Sante is so nuts, though, one wonders if she hadn't lost sight of her original demons years earlier.

It might be hard to believe this story if it wasn't true. For the record, I'd never heard of any of this until I watched this, nor have I read the book. I cannot comment on how close this stays to the actual events. I understand that this is a comedy, and I suppose I can see how some, maybe even most, would find it funny. Not a single thing made me crack a hint of a smile in this, but then again, I do not have a great tolerance for unbelievably irritating and obnoxious women, and apart from this featuring that one from According to Jim who's being so is her sole "joke"(not that that show has a lot of hilarity going on anyway... I digress), the lead is also portraying one such individual. I don't blame the actress. In fact, let's clear that up right away: The performances are spot-on, everyone is credible, and Davis does marvelous. I would guess that the behavior is close to that of the real Sante, and *she* is the one I have the real beef with. The plot is interesting enough, and well-told. Pacing is good. The editing and cinematography are nice. This holds mild violence, disturbing content and a little sexuality. I recommend this to those who like films about con artists. 7/10

I love Judy Davis in almost anything she does, and absolutely was blown away by her performance in "Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows" a few years ago. And while I wasn't sure if it was necessary to re-tell this story that was done in 2001 with Mary Tyler Moore called "Like Mother Like Son: The Strange Story of Sante and Kenny Kimes" which was not a bad TV movie, this version was done well enough that it is a different kind of movie.

And as much as I love Judy, I felt like I was watching Judy Garland do this role, sort of like she was channeling Judy Garland playing Sante Kimes. It was totally watchable though, even though knowing it's a true story (at least the facts of the story) make it all the more interesting to watch.

I should have taped it though (yes, I'm still in the VCR world occasionally,) because I cannot stand the incessant and never-ending commercials on Lifetime...

Based on a true story, director Richard Benjamin and star Judy Davis (as Sante) nevertheless give this "Lifetime" TV movie a comedy treatment. It's even possible to view "A Little Thing Called Murder" it as a satire of psycho sexy criminal mother movies. Chewing the scenery like it's made of ham, Ms Davis devours her role. Angel-faced (the grown-up) son Jonathan Jackson (as Kenneth "Kenny" Kimes) is her main accomplice. He and the supporting cast stay out of the way and allow Davis and Mr. Benjamin to do their thing. We get why Mr. Jackson went south, but wonder about Davis' character. The subject isn't all that funny, but Davis certainly seems to be having fun. If you relish Davis, chances are you will too.

****** A Little Thing Called Murder (1/23/06) Richard Benjamin ~ Judy Davis, Jonathan Jackson, Chelcie Ross, Cynthia Stevenson

I can't believe some of the comments already written about this movie - raging on and on and on about Judy Davis's performance as though she had invented ice cream and found the cure for cancer.

Judy Davis's performance is awful, and the movie is even worse.

It's funny how so many comments to date talk about Judy Davis channeling Judy Garland - the one and only role Ms. Davis ever got right. Otherwise, her performance in this movie, as in so many others, is one-dimensional and SCREECHING.

If you want to truly understand the story of the deadly Kimes, please check out the wonderful TV version that was made in 2001 - starring Mary Tyler Moore. Instead of screeching - Moore's performance is brilliant, understated, and classy.

The other problem with this version is the horrible, dumbed-down script. Honestly, having people who knew the Kimes stand in front of the camera and talk about their experiences with them is truly the bottom of the barrel - creative-wise - but I guess for viewers out there who don't want a sophisticated story, and who don't want to think (i.e. they just want the story "told to them") then this movie is for them!

We're told that the Sante and Kenny Kimes is a true story. Not even Tennessee Williams would have dare to dream up a mother/son relationship like this one. Horribly funny. Monstruosly entertaining. Judy Davis is, quite simply, spectacular. Although Richard Benjamin (the director) seems to go for the campy aspects of this outrageous tale, Judy Davis keeps it rooted to some kind of illogical logic. Sante's madness is a first for the screen. Part Bette Davis, part Judy Garland but one hundred per cent Judy Davis. If that seems like an absurdity, look at the movie. Sante/Judy is in constant movement even when she's standing still. A fearless magnificent performance. If this little murder had been a big screen movie. Judy would, certainly, be nominated for an Oscar.

Judy Davis is mesmerizing as the pitiful, warped Sante Kimes. Her sons (the actors) are both wonderful in their roles as well as her husband. Its a nonstop ride of dark comedy and over the top performances that are actually taken from real life scenarios. I think its an Emmy nod for Davis. It still should be made into a feature considering the wealth of real life situations that were never realized because of time, and the fact that this mother/son duo is so rare and full of intrigue as to what took so long as to where they finally ended up in jail for life after several decades of murders, cons, and dysfunction. This movie just touches the surface of the horrors they inflicted as part of their entertainment of life. I loved the movie and the direction is what moves it along so well. Altogether a great TV movie and entertainment.

Yes, it's easy to bash any LIFETIME movie. However, the film "A Little Thing Called Murder" should have been released to theaters. The film tells the true story of Sante Kimes, a flamboyant liar, con artist, manipulator and all-around evil witch. Sante is played by Judy Davis, who should win every possible acting award for this disturbing yet oddly funny black comedy. Sante leads her son, Kenny, (the criminally cute Jonathan Jackson) into a life of merciless horror. She conditions him and shapes his mind the minute he is born. The story of Sante and her son Kenny has been the source of various books and a movie, "Like Mother, Like Son" with Mary Tyler Moore as Sante. That film told the story in a serious and dramatic fashion. In a stroke of creative brilliance, director Richard Benjamin decided to present this material as outrageous and zany. It truly is; if you know the story, you'll know that nobody could come up with it from imagination. Sante is a ruthless, cunning, cold-hearted sociopath...but we see that she doesn't realize that what she does is wrong. She does things HER way and God help anybody who stands up to her. Sante and Kenny murder people, order arson on houses, scam several banks, steal cars, and Lie...Lie...LIE. Lies piled up on top of other lies. Judy Davis and Jonathan Jackson are both incredible in this movie, which manages- and delivers- chuckles in an otherwise grim story. Director Richard Benjamin took the absolute right-on approach with handling this mess of a story. KUDOS to all involved.

This movie was really good. It's the best movie ever made about this case. I'm gonna read the book that it's based on. Great acting, costumes, production, set decoration, directing, photography, script, and portrayal of this real story and events.

Spoilers Coming Up!

Sante' Kimes was a spoiled brat who did whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted, hurt other people without a care in the world for their well being and best interest. She enslaved women and beat them with hot irons and other things. That's what sent her to prison with a five year sentence, (she only served three). But she didn't learn anything from it, because she began her felonious behavior again the minute she was released. She also lured her son Kenny in with her.

The Kimes most certainly are guilty of killing Irene Silvermen and the two men. They can deny it all they want, but everyone else knows the truth. The book that the maid gave Kenny with the story "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" would have been good for Kenny, and I think things would have been different for him if he had been able to keep that book. She could also have used that story herself.

I hope Sante and Kenny Kimes both have lives filled with misery. They should have been given the death penalty. Rot in prison both of you, ha-ha.

I give this movie an 8/10 star rating.

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

For what this movie was, it was perfect. It was Mommy Dearest meets Weekend at Bernies.

Judy Davis was incredible as a Grifter of extraordinary caliber, manipulating everyone yet seemingly believing in her own innocence. The actress should get an award for her superb performance. As an added bonus, she often (perhaps this was intentional?) looked like another flamboyant life of the party - Serina, Samatha's witch cousin from the original Bewitched television series.

Chelcie Ross and Jonathan Jackson were also a great supporting cast, completely believable in their roles as basically manipulated, yet loved, family members.

Judy Davis will certainly merit an Emmy nomination come the next time they hand those awards out. She is absolutely fabulous in "A Little Thing Called Murder."

Despicable, insane, brutal are just some of the many adjectives that can be used to describe Miss Davis's brilliant performance as grifter Sante Kimes.

This woman, who apparently was born to do evil, is everything you wouldn't want in a person. Manipulative, maniacal and just outrageous. Slapping her child and then blaming the security guard for it is just the tip of the iceberg.

Killing just comes natural to Sante. Whether it's drowning or strangulation, she is up to the task completely.

The worst thing that ever happened to her son was when she is released from prison after a 4 year stint of enslaving maids. She is back home to mold him into her evil ways and what a job she did.

Kudos to the makeup artist for making Davis old and ugly with an almost matronly look that anyone might just sympathize with. That's of course until she opens her mouth. It's as if the whole world is against her, which of course is her basic trouble.

Absorbing film. Judy Davis, you're one heck of a great actress!

This movie is absolutely hysterical!!!! An excellent film done in such a high camp style that you come away thinking that even if Sante Kimes is guilty, someone so FFAAAAAAABBULOUS doesn't deserve to rot in prison for the rest of her life.

In fact, I have been searching the internet hoping to find a website devoted to their case, but there isn't one. Doesn't anyone ever entertain the possibility that they were innocent? It is possible. If it weren't, Sante wouldn't have lawyers willing to work on her appeals. In fact, I am a second year law student and want to volunteer to work on her appeals. It would be an amazing learning experience.

And Judy Davis is simply incomparable!!! No Judy Davis movie is EVER a disappointment. She was amazing as Judy Garland and she embodied Sante Kimes in a such a believable yet completely entertaining way.

If you had a mother like the one in this picture, I would begin to wonder how you ever deserved such a horrible position in Life. It sure is a great comedy and at the same time a drama that keeps you wondering just how things will eventually turn out in the very end. If you go out to dinner, you had better worry about the salt and pepper shakers and all morale codes of conduct are completely disregarded. The picture is a bit drawn out and you begin to wonder just when justice will prevail. This is a true story and you really feel sorry for the poor people involved in this family, but you just have to remember it is only a film, so sit back and enjoy the Comedy in this film.

Killer performance by Judy Davis, who perfectly nails the twisted, manipulative profile of a predatory grifter and sociopathic murderer.

Seriously, if you want to see how a grifter thinks and acts - this is it in spades.

The added bonus - parts of her behavior are so horrifically outrageous and unbelievable, you can't help but laugh out loud that anyone would have the audacity to try passing it off.

Even more twisted - we see her grooming her son to aid her and follow in her footsteps. Unfreaking real.

Side Note: I once met Sante Kimes very briefly. And even in those very few minutes, I could tell she was shifty dangerous trouble.

Second Side Note: If you like Judy Davis' stellar performance here, seek out her Emmy-winning performance as Judy Garland in Life With Judy Garland - Me And My Shadows . . . Available on disc at Amazon.

Possibly the only Lifetime TV flick I've ever liked but do I like it. This thing is a hoot, and Judy Davis is ridiculously good. Here we are presented with the story of Sante and Kenny Kimes, a serial killer pair, that is - mother and son. This is the sad and sorry true story of a mother ruthlessly using her crushed and twisted son and plowing her way through the world using corruption as her plowshare.