Une jeune fille trop parfaite

I recently stumbled across this film on TNT five minutes into it, while on vacation in Florida... (hey there has to be some down time in the hotel, right?) I was initially surprised to see Melissa Joan Hart in any feature length film on TNT. I mean "Drive Me Crazy" isn't THAT old already, is it?

But I stuck with it, and was thoroughly surprised and entertained. Melissa plays her role as the psychotic Jennifer excellently. The supporting cast (Nick, the ex-con boyfriend; Karen, her best friend; and her life-controlling parents) all added a great degree of believability. The twist at the end was a nice closure to this tale of the girl who always seemed to be one step ahead of everybody.

If you get a chance, check it out!

The REAL story involved a girl and her boyfriend, and how they plotted together to kill her parents. There was not another boyfriend involved. The real crime involved just one girl and her boyfriend. He came to her house and he shot her parents in bed. Later, he claimed that he had been smoking marijuana on his way over to their house. He said that his girlfriend was there to let him in and she yelled at him to shoot the mother again after seeing the first shot didn't kill her. The boy's attorney had claimed that the boy suffered from mental problems and had a low IQ. But these claims were argued and he was convicted. The girl and her boyfriend had both ended up in prison and served time, but her boyfriend was eventually executed. The girl was eventually released. One of the last statements he made was about how he didn't think it was fair to execute him while his girlfriend walked free, since they had both been part of the murder. He claimed to have been reformed and he wanted another chance at life. He never got that chance. I personally don't like it when "true crime" books TV shows and movies change the facts. I wish they'd just tell it the way it actually was. This movie does not give you the real story. Besides, Melissa Joan Hart's acting was just awful.

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.

"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!