L'amant diabolique

This movie really touched my heart. I know so many women who have been abused and they believe men change, and they don't. This is one of those situations that will never go away and women need to realize that. I cried almost all the way through the movie cause it was just sad the way Scott treated her. I think if I were Anne's daughter, I would have killed him. Because deep inside, little by little, he was killing her before he actually did. Women, if you are being abused, please, watch this movie and learn, or you too, will wind up dead.

This is a USA Original Pictures movie based upon the murder of the Scripps heiress by her abusive controlling husband. The daughters of the mother play a large role in the movie and narrate it at times. It follows a typical and predictable progression, partly based upon its semi-factually based premise. The movie is definitely watchable, but is obviously a made-for-TV movie and is reminiscent of previous USA Original movies.

The theme of the intruding con-man who works his way in until its too late to remove him appears here. Unlike the many other similar movies with this plot, this one is unique since it does have some basis in reality.

This movie recently aired on The Lifetime Channel. An attractive woman has a married life full of everything(or nearly everything) one would think a woman would want. She divorces her husband and father of her two daughters meets and marries Jerk First Class. One thing leads to another and Mr.Wonderful eventually murders her. I started watching this film and didn't expect to stay with it for more than a few minutes but kept watching it until the end. I came away with the same feeling as with The Stepfather films and 1984's First Born which starred Teri Garr. Where do women find these guys and why do they fall for them? Unlike The Stepfather trilogy and First Born this film was based on a true story which makes it all the more sadder. The acting is actually quite good. The story doesn't drag and keeps the viewer interested even though the outcome because of the title i.e. "Our Mothers Murder" is certain. Somehow however it becomes hard to have sympathy for the main character i.e. Ann Scripps Douglas because of her decision to get involved with this guy who begins using her for a punching bag not long after they wed. The film makes reference to the strong bond between the mother and her two adult daughters. Although one doesn't seem to learn anything from her mothers experience as she snags a boyfriend who pummels her a few times. The movie is worth watching whether you feel sympathy for the abused wife and her two daughters or not.

This was a depressing movie, because this was based on a true crime incident. It was depressing for the daughter's plea for their mother to leave the abusive husband, were ignored. The title to this movie said it all. Overall I liked this movie.

This film is excellent. Roxanne Hart does an excellent job portraying Ms. Scripps, who was actually murdered by her husband in the mid 90's.

Holly Marie Combs and Sarah Chalke portray Alex and Annie Morrel, Anne's daughters. The Scripps family-(Just think of publishing, NY and their estate in Bronxville, NY) is an old money establishment, and James Wilder portrays Scott Douglas, Anne's new suitor, who eventually marries the unsuspecting Scripps.

Apparently, she did not realize the extent of his capacity for abuse and violence. Perhaps it started as verbal abuse. Douglas seems to resent Anne's life of privilege, though she is a loving mother and wife. He embarrasses her in front of friends, degrades her, and spends his days drinking, while living in her mansion.

The performances in this film are very good, particularly Roxanne Hart, who is simply a wealthy,lonely woman, marries a younger man, and becomes the victim. She is sympathetic yet believable. Holly Marie Combs is also excellent, as the daughter who fights back, and sees the predicament her mother is in.

This is a decent film which realistically portrays the covert world of spousal abuse. Watch it and you will be interested in learning the true story.