The Disappearance of Vonnie

Ron Rickman almost became my stepfather. My whole family declined anything to do with the movie, we had been through enough. So many things the movie didn't tell you, couldn't tell you.

I saw this one of Lifetime, and of course it is Based on a True Story, since what else would life time show. This one is Based on the True Story of the disappearance of Yvonne "Vonnie" Nelson Rickman(or maybe it is Pickman, as it says here), who went away without coming back, uncharacteristically leaving her cigarette case behind...

She also leaves behind her estranged husband Ron, daughter Amy, and caring and concerned sister Corrinne, who suspects Ron had something to do with The Disappearance of Vonnie.

I think that has something to do with the fact that Ron is Very Close to Amy's babysitter Janine, since she's always on and her and Ron act very...odd together. Yuck. Plus Ron doesn't like Corrinne, and even forbids her to see Amy. Corrinne finds this out when she stops by Amy's house and finds Amy with an ugly haircut that makes her look like a boy that Janine gave her because Ron was "tired of combing it out every morning." Considering that Amy is about nine, can't she do that herself? Anyway, for some reason THAT is really what motivates Corrinne to pursue that search for Vonnie, or at least of any evidence that would relate to her disappearance. That what leads to the discovery of her purse, which after nosily digging through it, Corrinne finds her cigarette case, and just somehow KNOWS that something terrible happened to Vonnie because she did not have it with her. Because she didn't have her cigarette case??? Please. I mean, I can see how that relates to the suspiciousness behind her departure, but that just makes Vonnie sound so... shallow. I'm sure the real one wouldn't have wanted to be known for that.

Of course that all leads to the arrest of Ron and the Big Court Case that happens in every movie Based on a True Story, all with the big question of "can somebody be convicted of murder without the evidence of a body?" I...can't say, except to say that this is no more or less predictable than any other TV movie, and I was still getting over the stupidity of the whole trial and such basically happening because Amy got a bad haircut.

What a "classic."

This story takes place in Wisconsin. I was half heartedly watching my tape when I heard the name Appleton. I wasn't sure where it was taking place until I heard them say Green Bay & then I figured it was Wisconsin. Watching further confirmed it.

Anxiously awaiting the outcome I could really feel Corrine's frustration. I did not know it was based on fact until the end. It left me glad but sad and wanting to know more.

decent performances, including Ann Jillian, as Vonnie's sister, and Graham Beckel as Detective Broadhearst (look for him in "Jennifer 8" as the villain, and also in the more recent "Brokeback Mountain").

Joe Penny delivers a decent performance as Ron Rickman, a man who spent time in a hospital for the criminally insane, after shooting two men (it is never explained how, or why). It may have helped the story if the writer had delineated the characters a bit more.

Alicia Witt and some of the other neighborhood teens belong to a youth group ("TOPS") which is run by Penny, apparently as an aide to the community, and to help teens become interested in positive community issues. Because Penny is believable as somewhat shady, and Gillian as the sister, the film holds some interest. The characterization of Vonnie is weak; a woman who smokes too much, and we just see her interaction with daughter Amy briefly, in the beginning of the film.

Overall passable, not the worst we are being offered. I would rather watch this than a soccer mom who solves crimes, which is the latest attempted serial offered by LMN network. 6/10.

A man and his wife are not getting along because of the wife's jealousy and drinking problems. When the wife disappears, her sister begins a vigorous search involving the local police, state government, and a television crime show. What she finds out stuns the entire community. Good drama with lots of fine performances; based on a true story.