lallen08

The story is so horrifying and gruesome, even by today's standards, that the director's attempts at dramatization add nothing and are more of a distraction. Multiple shots of roasting meat in the shape of ass? Really? And too much time is spent with two dubious "experts," one of whom proudly describes how he acquired Fish's confession letter in an act of larceny (anyone send a copy of this film to the cops in Westchester County?) and who creepily asserts that Fish MUST have loved Grace Buddd in order to do what he did to her. Huh? Anyone want to go dig around in THIS guy's backyard? And all of the religious motivation nonsense is completely at odds with what we know about sexual homicide. It's all about a toxic mix of extreme self absorption and the desire to control others with a nice positive feedback of orgasm. That's it folks. No religious motive here. The religious stuff may have helped him rationalize what he did and certainly sweetened the filth aspect for this guy, but that's probably it. Read Schecter's Deranged instead for a good Fish account.

I knew nothing about the Peterson case before watching this film obsessively over a weekend. Even with Lestrade's clearly biased presentation, I came to the same conclusion the jury did - testament to the strength of the autopsy evidence. Res ipsa loquitur - she simply could not have died from a fall down the stairs given the lacerations and the blood. And nothing to suggest that an intruder caused her death. Sure, I winced when Freda Black went on and on about the porn, as if its existence on Peterson's computer in and of itself indicates anything. But all in all it was an interesting lesson into how the skilled storyteller can skew anything towards his chosen bias. And the score was absolutely exquisite.

If you are a true Pride and Prejudice lover as Amanda Price claims to be but is obviously not, you will cringe throughout this film. Every lover of the book has the fantasy of entering that world. It could have been great fun to watch if it had been done properly. First, no P&P lover would be as idiotic as Amanda - cursing, drinking, behaving like a common tart. I couldn't believe for one second that the Bennetts would accept her into their home with that behavior. I've only read the book 5 or 6 times but I like to think that even I would know how to behave if I stumbled upon Merryton and its environs. I'd talk funny, but I could manage the rest. Not Amanda. The whole story is full of just the clichéd sort of humor I'd have thought would be absent given the raves here on IMDb - spunky 21st century girl in straitlaced 18th century keeps screwballing things up! Doggone it that's funny! And she's a mouthy, drunken chippy. Darcy wouldn't look at her twice - anyone who knows the book, knows that.