This TV remake of "Leave Her to Heaven" once again gives Loni Anderson the opportunity to play a role previously essayed by a legendary actress who got an Oscar nomination. First it was taking on Barbara Stanwyck's role in "Sorry Wrong Number", and here, it's Gene Tierney's legendary role as one of the most deadly but (literally) colorful film noir femme fatales. She goes after Patrick Duffy in this, so basically you're getting an 80's nighttime soapy update of a classic without the panache.
There is a touch of class with the presence of Julie Harris in Faye Bainter's role, and even if she's underused, she's really the only performer worth watching. Anderson's role would have been better played by Duffy's former "Dallas"' co-star Morgan Fairchild who could have really added the spark this character needed. Anderson is just too easy to see through because sadly serious character driven drama isn't her forte. The direction and script are also quite flawed. Glynnis O'Connor disappoints in the Jeanne Crain role. Neil Patrick Harris is the young handicapped son, long before he started swallowing the scenery without chewing. Probably one of the worst TV remakes of a classic film.
There is a touch of class with the presence of Julie Harris in Faye Bainter's role, and even if she's underused, she's really the only performer worth watching. Anderson's role would have been better played by Duffy's former "Dallas"' co-star Morgan Fairchild who could have really added the spark this character needed. Anderson is just too easy to see through because sadly serious character driven drama isn't her forte. The direction and script are also quite flawed. Glynnis O'Connor disappoints in the Jeanne Crain role. Neil Patrick Harris is the young handicapped son, long before he started swallowing the scenery without chewing. Probably one of the worst TV remakes of a classic film.