Seduced by Madness: The Diane Borchardt Story

After losing his wife in a tragic car accident, a father by the name of "Ruben Borchardt" (Peter Coyote) marries a woman named "Diane Kay Borchardt" (Ann-Margaret) with the hope that she can help him raise his two children "Brook Borchardt" (Hedy Burress) and "Chuck Borchardt" (Tobey Maguire). During this time, Diane becomes pregnant and gives birth to another child they name "Regan Borchardt" (Veronica Lauren). Unfortunately, not long after giving birth to Regan, Diane becomes quite hostile to Ruben's children by his first wife and begins to despise him in the process as well. So much so that, Ruben eventually finds the love and affection he needs in the arms of another woman named "Claire Brown" (Leslie Hope). Unable to hide his love for her any longer, Ruben subsequently asks Diane for a divorce--and that's when things really begin to spiral out-of-control. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that, not only was this movie based on a true story, but it also bore a remarkable similarity to another event that happened just a few years earlier involving a married woman named Pamela Smart who likewise manipulated high school students to murder her husband as well. Interestingly enough, a good film was also produced about that incident under the title of "Murder in New Hampshire-the Pamela Smart Story" starring Helen Hunt and Hank Stratton. On a side note, I should also mention that another film titled "To Die For" starring Nicole Kidman was also somewhat related to the Pamela Smart story but was presented more as a dark comedy with little regard for historical accuracy. But I digress. In any case, what really impressed me about this particular film was the outstanding performances of Peter Coyote, Ann-Margret and, to a lesser degree Tobey Maguire, as all three totally owned their roles. Admittedly, being a two-part miniseries, the film runs a bit long (200 minutes) but, even so, I still found it worth the time spent, and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.

There was a time when these true crime mini series were blockbuster entertainment nowadays they've been reduced with lower production values horrible scripts and unknown casts and shown on lifetime if your lucky you can catch them rerunning one of the classic ones.I wouldn't consider this one a classic like the burning bed or Fatal Vision but it boasts a fabulous performance by Ann Margret playing a socialpathic school teacher who manipulates a student to murder her husband peter Coyote gives a fine performance as well as the doomed husband but this is definitely Ann Margrets film who walks away with every scene she's in! The script can't avoid obvious clichés but it still is a fascinating watch. My only complaint is the annoying stupidity of Coyotes children who were warned by their father of what his wife is capable of and about money that he hid for them but basically do nothing and even let their wicked step mother to get her claws on the money If you enjoy true crime movies you should enjoy this! It's worth it just to see Ann Margrets performance

Granted Jefferson isn't the Los Angeles-type city it is shown as in the movie - 'tis merely an average small town in Wisconsin, and the Borchardt house looks nothing like it does in real-life, the movie is still a pretty good dramatic representation of what really happened, although many things have been changed. The reason I had trouble with this real-life drama, is that I lived in Fort Atkinson at the time of this murder mystery (which is Jefferson's neighboring city). Jefferson is not covered in gang symbols or palm trees, etc. etc. But the acting was well-done (Alanna Ubach gives a knockout performance as Shannon). Having seen Peter Coyote for the first time in this movie he will always remain Ruben Borchardt in my mind (of course, he was also in E.T., but I had only seen that movie when I was a youngster). Diane Borchardt was a lucky woman - while she is very unattractive bitch, Ann-Margret portrays her in this movie.

Basically the movie goes like this: Ruben Borchardt is (somewhat reluctantly) murdered by three teens, Josh, Doug and Michael, by orders of his wife (their teacher) Diane Borchardt. The rest of the movie is one big flashback that explains how Diane manipulated her students into thinking Ruben abused her (when in truth it was vice versa). One by one, Doug and his friends get pulled into the mix. Ruben's motherless children from his first marriage are forced to see their father go into a depression, while their step-sister is treated as a queen. One obvious change from the real-life events, is the relationship between Ruben and his blooming love for Ruth. But whatever. The story stays pretty true to life, and events used the real sign for "Mrs. B's shop"...(It's so weird, because I remember driving past her shop all the time!)

Knowing my cousin associated with the three teenagers, and his wife had Mrs. Borchardt as a teacher, and I went to school with relatives of the Borchardts, it makes the movie all the more real to me, but as a movie, most will just find it pure entertainment with great acting, even though it is inaccurate in certain areas.

By the way - yes they really did arrest her while she was at school.

I was a sophomore in the Jefferson High School where this happened and even played on the tennis team for the school with Doug. I was also on the school's swim team with Chuck and had the opportunity to meet his dad many times and swim meets and at a swimming party one weekend. I was also in study hall which Mrs. B was an aide, and I remember she moved Josh to the front row that year to sit right next to her desk. She was always so nice to him. It is very sad to see what happened and everything is pretty much true, just like the user above commented on. I remember sitting in class on lock down when they came in to arrest her.

Ann-Margret deserves an academy award for her performance as a manic step-mother who is concerned only with her own needs and desires. Her mood swings from normalcy to manic anger, her manipulation of her teen-age accomplices, her horrible treatment of her husband, and her favoritism for her own daughter over her two step-children...all very realistic portrayals of a manic woman obsessed with having everything her way. It was hard to watch this movie during the scenes leading up to Ruben Borchardt's murder, but they were enlightening. This movie is a must see for anyone who has known a manic person like Diane Borchardt. The post-murder investigation by the two relentless detectives was heartening, all the way up to the convictions of those involved. The classic scene comes at the end when Diane Borchardt is being processed for prison: her only concern is that her husband had a chance to "repent" before he died.

Kudos to the writers and actors who made this movie so realistic!