A Killing in a Small Town

"Killing In A Small Town" looked every bit as ordinary as a regular made for TV fare but as the story unfolds; with the first frame of Barbara Hershey as Candice Morrison defining her sense of self to a therapist; you are instantly hooked until the end credits roll. Accused of her murderous crime in a small middle American town, Candice or Candy was initially in shock and subsequent denial. But as the horror washed over the community and all evidence point toward the mousy housewife, she starts to unravel albeit in calm revelation. Barbara Hershey is definitely one of the most underrated actress of her era, her portrayal of a strong, self- controlled, stoic yet sensitive and vulnerable woman make her a character of infinite contradiction. She pulled out all the stops in her courtroom scenes on cross examination and her hypnosis session with a doctor is unforgettably chilling. When Candice was on the stand recounting the day of the murder, the scene plays out ordinarily and then take a turn for the macabre when Peggy (victim) accused Candice of having an affair with her husband. Peggy then goes back to kitchen to fetch an axe and begins to taunt Candy. The two of them had words and then a fight ensues. Candy was desperately trying to get away but finally she turns the table and hacks Peggy over 41 timesin self defense. The entire scene was riveting like your inability to look away from a car wreck. An American tragedy played with unrelenting passion by Barbara Hershey who incidentally won an Emmy and Golden Globe for her searing performance.

TV movies usually suck, but this is probably the best one I've seen next to "The Deliberate Stranger". What lies beneath a typical, all-American perfect PTA neighborhood-murder, mayhem, and sin! It is very shocking and suspenseful, and the ending was one of the most unpredictable and shocking I have ever seen! What is more chilling is that this is based on a true story. Barbara Hershey gives a brilliant performance.

A small town in Texas is in shock after a school teacher is found murdered in her home, whacked 41 times with an ax. Thanks to a plethora of physical evidence, the police soon suspect her friend Candy Morrison (Barbara Hershey). Candy admits she had an affair with the woman's husband (John Terry), but when it comes to trial her lawyer (Brian Dennehy) decides to plead self defense. WOW! This true crime TV movie is absolutely captivating. A big part of that is because of Hershey in the lead role. Already a lauded leading lady in theatrical features, she must have felt compelled to the juicy role in order to move to a TV movie after the success of Beaches (1988). She is absolutely stunning in the lead role (a bit where she is hypnotized by a psychologist played by Hal Holbrook is downright frightening) and she ended up winning both a Golden Globe and Emmy for this performance. Of course, the way the story unfolds is also part of the film's success as the teleplay writers peel back layer after layer. It builds perfectly to the shocking finale where we see the murder as Candy says it happened and the findings of the jury. Director Stephen Gyllenhaal (yes, father of Jake and Maggie) handles it all with the skill of a theatrical feature. A great example of his direction is one long take where the coroner describes the victims wounds while walking around the body and the camera just focuses on his hands; we never see the body in close up, but the description brings up such extreme detail in the minds of viewers.

How is it a mild-mannered, small town woman can hack her best friend to death with an axe and say she's not guilty? This startling, disturbing, gripping TV-movie provides the answer in amazing fashion, thanks to Barbara Hershey's flawless acting and Stephen Gyllenhaal's taut, vivid direction (this is a director who loves molding an atmosphere for his characters, making their surroundings as perplexing and eerie as they are). The murder sequence (told well in flashback) is not sensationally presented, yet it had me glued to the screen. Hershey is further complimented by an excellent supporting cast. What an amazing job this is!

A Gripping True-Crime Drama with a Stellar Lead Performance

Based on the true story of a shocking murder in a tight-knit Texas community, A Killing in a Small Town (1990) is a riveting exploration of human psychology and small-town secrets. Directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, this made-for-TV movie transcends its format with a deeply compelling narrative and a standout performance from Barbara Hershey.

Hershey delivers a career-defining turn as Candy Morrison, a seemingly ordinary housewife whose involvement in a gruesome crime unravels a dark and complex story. Her portrayal is nuanced and chilling, capturing Candy's internal conflict and the simmering emotions beneath her outwardly composed demeanor. Hershey's performance earned her an Emmy Award, and rightfully so-it anchors the film and elevates it to a must-watch drama.

The screenplay is expertly crafted, peeling back layers of the crime with a slow-burn intensity that keeps the audience engaged. The film explores themes of repression, moral ambiguity, and the facades people maintain in seemingly idyllic communities. Gyllenhaal's direction enhances the tension, using stark visuals and deliberate pacing to emphasize the suffocating atmosphere of small-town life.

Supporting performances are equally strong, with Brian Dennehy as the defense attorney who crafts a controversial yet compelling case for Candy. His dynamic courtroom scenes inject energy into the narrative and highlight the moral complexities at play. The film also benefits from a haunting score that underscores its eerie and unsettling tone.

While A Killing in a Small Town occasionally feels constrained by its TV movie roots, its powerful performances and thought-provoking themes more than compensate. It's a gripping and emotionally resonant depiction of a true-crime story that leaves a lasting impression.

Final Thoughts: A Killing in a Small Town is an exceptional example of a true-crime drama done right. With Barbara Hershey's unforgettable performance and its exploration of the darker side of human nature, this film remains a standout in the genre.

Rating: 7/10 A haunting and compelling portrayal of crime, psychology, and the secrets that fester beneath the surface of small-town life.