Amber: Témoin à charge

I am not usually one for TV movies, but since Janel Moloney was playing the lead I decided to watch. This movie was based on the book written by Amber Frey, so it feels a bit slanted toward her perspective. (But I suppose she is the title character!) That being said, the movie seemed a good summary of the events surrounding the disappearance/murder of Laci Peterson that I had not followed despite the incessant news coverage of 2003-2004. The acting throughout was sufficient for what ultimately boils down to a murder investigation. Ms. Moloney plays a convincing Amber Frey (their physical resemblance was striking). (Casting should have gone after Ben Affleck for Scott Peterson - see SNL's Weekend Update from November 13, 2004.) Nothing too creative in terms of editing, as I found the second half to drag in terms of the story's flow. And did Zondervan books sponsor this production? The inclusion of "The Purpose Driven Life" seemed forced, and only appears to try to paint Amber Frey in an even more righteous light. I am not certain what purpose Scott Peterson's life will serve on Death Row. And the portrayal of Laci's mother, while touching, seemed to indicate that she'd lost all her children when in fact there is an older brother (Brent) and a half-sister (Amy). All-in-all, a decent portrayal of recent 'news' events.

A comment about this movie I read in a newspaper said, in essence, "Just in case you've been in a cave for the past two years, Amber Frey was Scott Peterson's mistress".

Okay, I must have been in a cave.

Why would I want anything to do with this tawdry story? When "The West Wing" first came on the air, I only liked one character--The President. It took a while before anyone else made me want to watch that boring show for any reason other than an intriguing plot line.

While Janel Moloney wasn't quite like Donna Moss, some of Donna's personality showed through. Frey came across as pleasant, a devoted mother, and determined to succeed in a career. Frey had a strong religious faith, though I don't understand how she could have thought sex outside of marriage was acceptable. Most churches condemn that. Anyway, her relationship with Peterson was anything but tawdry, based on the assumption she believed him. It was only later, when the truth came out, that Frey's relationship could be seen as national news. Even then, the media circus was not justified, and I thought it was a shame. Frey even became friends with people I thought would hate her.

This was a pretty standard TV-movie. Not too bad, but about what one would expect.

I just finished watching this movie and was amazed on how Amber's story was portrayed. I myself followed the story along by reading tabloid magazines and this movie helped me see all the pain and suffering Amber went through. It portrayed the truth with amazing precision. Janel Moloney played the beautiful blonde Amber Frey so you could understand every single thing about Amber Frey during the time this all happened. All of the actors were great. I look forward to seeing them in the future. "Amber Frey: Witness for the Prosecution" is a power-house, compelling drama. Even the fake tabloids they had were so realistic. I loved this movie and can't wait to see it again. It really makes you think.

I felt this was a well made TV movie. The most astonishing fact is how much all the actors really looked like the people they were portraying. Especially Janel Maloney who played Amber - she is her honest to goodness identical twin. She did a good job of capturing her personality and strength as well.

Although there may be some questionable moral decisions to Amber's choices, I don't think anyone can deny the strength, tenacity and courage it took for her to come forward like she did. I'm glad this story was told more from her life and perspective. I don't think I could handle one that focuses more on Scott Peterson - he is so despicable. But they also chose an actor that closely resembled him and he did a good job depicting him, which had to be hard.

I remember when the story first broke, right at Christmas. My daughter said she had met this couple at a party in their condo about 8mo previous. They were known to be this enviable couple. But my daughter felt his eyes wandering. And he was full of charisma. When this news broke we totally did not believe Scott to have any wrong doing. Then the bombshell. How brave that was of Amber Frye to step up and to do the tapes. Without the tapes no one would take her story over the flamboyant Scott's. What a terrible, terrible thing. And this kind of stuff happens all too often. I guess we should not even watch these "base on a true story" movies. Lacy surely found out about the girl-friend and that's where things got out of hand. But of course, this sleaze bag of a husband didn't want reveal what rally happened. Again, it's a good thing there was an Amber Frye. And I don't care if she made money from her book; her life was turned upside down too. And poor Lacie. It pains me to see people commenting so much about the quality of the movie or actors. For Christ's sake!!! This girl was thrown into the ocean with her baby yet to be born. Her parents have to live with these horrific images of their daughter's armless and headless body recovered. How does the man still breathe. My daughter said Lacie had a very bubbly personality.