is very believable in her role as Jessica Cochran, a woman with two children, whose husband Gary has problems with anger, which gradually escalate.
This is a true story based on what occurred in Glen Oaks, and Gary Cochran (named the "make my day shooter"), who shot a neighbor during a dispute, was apparently let off the charges due to his wife's testimony. Another review mentioned character development, but really, we do learn a bit about Jessica, that she has to work at a dead end waitress job to make ends meet. Gary Cochran apparently had some problems with employment, and we don't really see what has transpired.
We do see his rage, and Farentino is chillingly believable. The scenes where he teaches his young son to defend himself are quite upsetting.
John Spencer has a brief role as Jessica (Lee's) employer. Lee Garlington as her sympathetic friend, and Cicely Tyson, as a shelter coordinator for women who are victims. The film is primarily watchable for Ms. Lee's sympathetic performance, a woman who felt she had no options. She does not come off as the usual helpless femme fa tale that women victims are often portrayed as. Farentino also has some dark moments, and was well cast in this film. 8/10.
This is a true story based on what occurred in Glen Oaks, and Gary Cochran (named the "make my day shooter"), who shot a neighbor during a dispute, was apparently let off the charges due to his wife's testimony. Another review mentioned character development, but really, we do learn a bit about Jessica, that she has to work at a dead end waitress job to make ends meet. Gary Cochran apparently had some problems with employment, and we don't really see what has transpired.
We do see his rage, and Farentino is chillingly believable. The scenes where he teaches his young son to defend himself are quite upsetting.
John Spencer has a brief role as Jessica (Lee's) employer. Lee Garlington as her sympathetic friend, and Cicely Tyson, as a shelter coordinator for women who are victims. The film is primarily watchable for Ms. Lee's sympathetic performance, a woman who felt she had no options. She does not come off as the usual helpless femme fa tale that women victims are often portrayed as. Farentino also has some dark moments, and was well cast in this film. 8/10.