In the Best of Families: Marriage, Pride & Madness

I wasn't originally going to comment on this movie, but, after reading some of the other reviews, I felt like I needed to add to this.

Although most reviews of this film have been somewhat positive,there are a few of the reviews which have noted how unbelievable this story is and how this movie is not worth the time. I disagree.

Some people may not realize that this is based on true events that happened in the mid 1980s in North Carolina. As a local high school student when this all came to the forefront, and also having been lucky enough to be able to read Jerry Bledsoe's original articles when they were published in the Greensboro "News and Record" (the local paper where he was writing at the time), I can honestly say that most local folks were both amazed and disturbed by the whole situation and the senselessness of it all.

If you are interested in this movie and would like to learn more about the Klenner, Sharp, Newsom, and Lynch families, I suggest that you read "Bitter Blood" (by Jerry Bledsoe) -- the book on which this mini-series was based. The movie was good, but never have I found a crime novel that was as intriguing as this. A long read, but worth the time.

I really thought this was a great movie. It was sad but hey, Wakeup!!! This really happens in life. I wished it came on more on lifetime. I haven't seen this movie in a long time and never caught all of it. I hope it comes back on sometime soon so i can watch the whole thing. I love the lifetime channel. This movie just goes to show lifetime has never let me down. I cried at the end, though. It was so sad to see how the kids ended up. I think this is a great movie to watch on a rainy Saturday afternoon. It is one to curl up on the sofa and get into. I wished it came on a DVD/VHS so that i could see it, the whole movie. Jayne Brook, from Chicago Hope, does a terrific job playing the new relationship in Tom's life. The only part i didn't like was the part Harry Hamlin played. He has done so much better than playing a guy who is a liar and one that would marry his cousin. However, i still would watch this movie again.

One of the best casts ever on a little network, this director obviously comes from New York and knows all the great unsung actors living there.

Marian Seldes, Anne Pitoniak, Tom Aldredge are all great to see on screen, and do a great job, but the film belongs to Carradine and Willis. She gives a terrific performance, and he's right up there with her. It's a little long, yes, but if you can get into the story it's well worth it.

Sadly the critic above knows nothing of the history of the movie. The movie is based on the TRUE crime book Bitter Blood and is extremely accurate. Maybe he found it disappointing or unrealistic but sadly the story is true and well documented. I enjoyed the movie since I grew up during the time of the murders in Winston-Salem. I wish could find this movie on DVD.

The basic story line is about Susie Newsome, niece of Susie Sharpe who was the first female supreme court justice in North Carolina. She marries young Tom Lynch after meeting him at Wake Forest University. There bitter breakup leaves Susie in anger and hurt. She takes revenge out on him in a truly horrific story.

"Bitter Blood" is a really interesting movie. You watch Kelly McGillis' character change completely as she becomes more and more under the thumb of her completely insane cousin. Interesting performances all around, but somewhat disturbing. On a side note, it is really long. I did not want to stop watching, but you do feel that it's long, and wish it was a little shorter.