So I read the book by Bugliosi and loved it, so I had to get this movie. It's obviously made on a shoe-string of a budget but still enjoyable nonetheless.
There were some inaccuracies that bothered me, i.e. Bugliosi did NOT have to ride herd on the detective like he did in the movie, Michael Brockington told what he knew to cops long before the trial, Alan did not meet Judy at the bar and nor did she work for it (He met her at a gym that she worked at)... and so on but that's probably just me nitpicking.
Overall though, the acting in this movie is really good. Treat Williams does an awesome job as Allan Palliko (although he was far more handsome and charming than the real Alan aka Paul Perveler).. and Arliss Howard also does great as Bugliosi and was probably the best thing about the film. Rebecca Jenkins also does great and adds a sympathetic touch to the character of Sandra Stockton; to an extent I actually felt sorry for her as she seemed very manipulated by Alan Palliko. I don't know if the real Sandra is just as cold as Allan, but they didn't portray it that way in the movie. I always thought Sandra only serving seven years was ridiculous, but after watching this, I can't help but wonder if maybe she was just infatuated and went along with Allan the whole time out of love, as she obviously had low self esteem and never got much attention from men. And of course Alan gets the death penalty which he deserves.
Overall enjoyable and recommended for anyone who read the book, if you don't mind a few inaccuracies and missing key points.
There were some inaccuracies that bothered me, i.e. Bugliosi did NOT have to ride herd on the detective like he did in the movie, Michael Brockington told what he knew to cops long before the trial, Alan did not meet Judy at the bar and nor did she work for it (He met her at a gym that she worked at)... and so on but that's probably just me nitpicking.
Overall though, the acting in this movie is really good. Treat Williams does an awesome job as Allan Palliko (although he was far more handsome and charming than the real Alan aka Paul Perveler).. and Arliss Howard also does great as Bugliosi and was probably the best thing about the film. Rebecca Jenkins also does great and adds a sympathetic touch to the character of Sandra Stockton; to an extent I actually felt sorry for her as she seemed very manipulated by Alan Palliko. I don't know if the real Sandra is just as cold as Allan, but they didn't portray it that way in the movie. I always thought Sandra only serving seven years was ridiculous, but after watching this, I can't help but wonder if maybe she was just infatuated and went along with Allan the whole time out of love, as she obviously had low self esteem and never got much attention from men. And of course Alan gets the death penalty which he deserves.
Overall enjoyable and recommended for anyone who read the book, if you don't mind a few inaccuracies and missing key points.