Deliberate Intent

(2000) Deliberate Intent THRILLER

Straight-to-rental from a made for television, co-written and directed by Andy Wolk starring Timothy Hutton which is based on true incidents somewhere in Washington whereas a family gets pointing all fingers pointing to the ex husband who's motivation was only for money. The second story or prosecution was the book's publisher of "Hit man" which the killer used as a tool to execute a family! Strictly by the book and uninspiring which by watching it still feels altered to suit TV viewers. This event, although meant well is better read on line as well as other sources than it to be seen on TV.

Yesterday I was traveling and heard an interview with a gentleman regarding this case on one of the FM NPR stations. I did not know any of the details so it took me a few minutes of searching (until I arrived at IMDb.) Anyway, it was an excellent interview and the interview story focused on the legal issues rather than the sensational crime. Which is unusual in this day and time. Bingo this morning, I was surfing on TV and this movie was just starting. Excellent timing, just as so many are afraid to assert or actually learn our 1st Amendment rights, or the interpretation of those rights by the courts. Just odd that's all. It is an excellent movie and still relative although it is 11 years old! What with current events perhaps there should be a remake of this movie instead of "Footloose"

Deliberate Intent starring Timothy Hutton, is one of the best courtroom dramas I've seen in quite some time. The story is very well written and really makes you wonder how far the 1st Amendment can really go. The content of the film is also quite disturbing - one man will stop at nothing for money and another man will stop at nothing for justice. The acting is very good, the story very well written and the pace keeps the viewer glued to the screen till the final fade out.

This movie is based on a true story. I just finished watching an episode of The New Detectives on the Discovery Channel about a triple homicide in Maryland. Near the end of the program, they showed a canceled check marked NSF made out to Palladin Press and then they showed the actual book, Hit Man, and it was the same book from this movie. The episode made brief mention of the court case and briefly showed the headline of the outcome of the case. I knew I'd recently seen a fictional program about this and I racked my brain until I came up with this movie. The movie coupled with The New Detectives episode give the complete story of a brutal and senseless occurrence.

I in no way mean to suggest that 3 people being murdered for money is hilarious, but for anyone who knows a bit about the appellate process, the "dramatic" scene in the US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit -- with the gallery shouting out and the two lawyers sparing on rebuttal -- was laughable. I know it made for a better scene -- in reality, attorneys are given a certain time period to speak and answer questions, and there is no confrontation between parties -- but a little authenticity would have been nice. For a "real" film appellate argument, I suggest watching the Supreme Court scene in "The People Versus Larry Flint" (plus the guy who play Scalia is a dead ringer!).

It was interesting, however, to see a case I read about in law school brought to life. The case actually has some pretty strong First Amendment ramifications, which I am delighted to see people on this site have discussed. So it was not all in vain!