User reviews

My cable company described this as the theatrical "Double Jeopardy" which I had not seen. After about 20 minutes, I suspected this was the wrong "Double Jeopardy" and felt a bit cheated. But, the story held my interest and the performance of the actors overcame the low budget cinematography.

For a 'made for television' movie, it was better than most but would not have done well on the big screen. Still, well worth taking a look at if the opportunity arises.

Saw this on the Lifetime channel, the Women's Network. In this Women's Network film, a cute naïve girl (Brittany Murphy) gets pregnant by a married cop, raises the baby as a single mother while working in a convenience store, and gets shot in the head. Standard courtroom fare follows. The only standout performances are Frederic Forrest and Rutanya Alda as Brittany's parents.

Joe Penny and Brittany Murphy are main characters in this true story. When a teenage girl develops feelings for an older man she doesn't realize what's in store for her and her family. Joe Penny portrays the police officer who doesn't care for the fact that Julia stands up for herself although he originally tells her so when they first meet. True stories like this are brought to life with Joe Penny in the main role and are worth the time to watch. You can feel & see the anger plus the frustration in Joe's character as the movie progresses. The families struggles with and question what has happened. A twist at the end lets you know that the trust is always the best. Great cast and excellent acting by Joe Penny.

Enjoyed this Lifetime TV film which was very down to earth and rather sad but true to life. Joe Penny,(John Dubroski),"The Prophets Game",'99, is a policeman and manages to get involved with a very young gal who gets PG. The young gal is Brittany Murphy,(Julia Marie Neuland),"Little Black Book",'04, who is madly in love with Joe and does everything in her power to capture his heart so he will leave his wife and family. Teri Garr,( Cindy Dubroski),"The Sky Is Falling",2000, is Joe Penny's wife who will let nothing interfere with her marriage and manages to overlook many things in her marriage to Joe. All the actors do a fantastic job of acting and Brittany Murphy will definitely make you go for the Tissue Box. The ending of the film has many twists and turns and you will have to view it to find out if Justice Prevails!!!

I remember the real life events of this vividly since it was one of my best friends and the drummer in our band who was portrayed in this movie as the stepson. A lot of it was over-dramatized, but that's what Hollywood does. As well, it was told only from the viewpoint of the victim. So much more was left out. I saw it when it first aired, but I couldn't watch it again since it brings back such bad memories, plus it's so biased. I know Lifetime airs it often so I just keep switching channels. It's just too strange to watch a movie that is based on the real-life tragedy of people I know very well, especially when some of the facts and scenes are altered. The actors were far from nailing the personalities of these people, but again, that's Hollywood.

UPDATE - 2007 - So, the "expert" who testified that the bullets matched his gun commits suicide a few months ago after he is confronted about his misinformation on the stand. BUSTED! He as no expert at all and made up everything. The case has now been reopened and it seems the bullets DO NOT match his gun. Hence more will be introduced to prove innocence of the "lead character" of this "wanna-be based in real life" movie. I hope when he is set free the producers come back to Baltimore and do a sequel to show just how wrong the first movie really was and show that he is innocent after all. They can show how he was set up by another cop who was also sleeping with her (the movie didn't show how she liked to hop in the sack with other cops, too). This movie should be burned in a bonfire with all the other biased trash out there.

I've seen this movie more than once. Outstanding job casting for this movie. Joe Penny looks hot in a uniform. Brittany Murphy is very believable as a naive "cop groupie" type. I've seen many of these types of relationships (in real life) between cops and young girls they meet while on duty. This movie was such an accurate portrayal of how easily this situation begins and how tragically it can end.

I noticed it was based on a true story. If anyone knows of the book version, please e-mail me, I'd be interested in reading it! I'd love to see this movie come out on DVD! I wonder if the real "John Dubroski" is still in contact with his family from prison. Anyway, bravo to Lifetime for airing this film every now and then. It brought back many memories. P.S. Brittany Murphy is a beautiful girl either way, but I think she looks much better with black hair!

I was flicking channels a few nights ago and came across this movie I stayed watching because I am a big fan of Terri Garr (and I thought that this was the theatrical film "Double Jeapordy"), But this film holds well on it's own. Everyone in the cast is superb and this film should have more people writing about it.

This movie is based on the true life story of a young waitress and her affair with a untrustworthy police officer. Joe Penny and Britany Murphy are a must see there is no way I believe any body else could do the portrayal of these two unfortunate people justice. The story line is great and the acting convincing. This is a great movie to add to your Penny and Murphy collection Superb and enjoyable sit their with a cup of hot chocolates and a box of assorted delights I recommend cadburys.

Amanda

PS I fall in love with Joe every time I see him,excellent.

I caught this movie while I was channel surfing one afternoon when it seemed like nothing good was on TV, and while I don't like watching Lifetime Movies all that well, I took a chance on the movie. To my surprise I loved it. Not only was this movie tragic,it was also based on a true story,which is what attracted me to the movie even more.

I've had a mad crush on Brittany Murphy since I first saw her, in "Drive". I don't think I've ever seen so mesmerizing a combination of crazy, sexy, cute, innocent, impish, and vaguely dangerous. Me = smitten. She does it again here, with a tragic twist. It's hard to watch her now, and especially so in this one where her character dies young, knowing that she really did die young. RIP, you beautiful nut. <:'-( Gone oh, so much too soon.

FTR, I agree with the others who prefer her hair dark. It suited her so well. She somehow plays a perfect brunette blonde, if that makes any sense.

But anyway... this movie is very immersive, I think mostly due to the strong characters and the intensity of the developing situation. There's something about tragedy that is hard to look away from, and Brittany's charmingly dangerous innocence made her perfect for this role, as it drew the two together and also led to her poor decision-making, which put her at risk from her psycho lover. Just like Dubroski, we (or at least I) can't look away from her, even though there are red flags flying around this possible romance between them.

Some have complained of slow pacing, but I didn't notice that.

The review from the friend of the drummer son-in-law is interesting. Is the real-life Dubroski truly innocent? If so, I agree that a follow-up would make a good film, depicting "the rest of the story" or whatever. Still, this movie tells a story which, regardless of whether it's entirely true to the real-life events upon which it's based, does resonate.

The rest of the cast were also very good. Terri Garr in particular was a great choice for Mrs. Dubroski.

while not the best movie in the world, it is way better than a lot of the made for TV movies that are around. i was surfing through the TV channels because there was nothing to watch and this movie was on court TV, so i decided to give it a try. i was pleasantly surprised at the acting. i thought it was great when compared to other made for TV movies and in fact i didn't even know it was a TV movie until the end credits started rolling. this movie surpassed my expectations and is probably one of the better made for TV movies i have seen. the casting for this movie was great and each of the actors fit their roles nicely. if it should come up, i strongly recommend watching this movie, it's a lot better than the movies on movie channels.

This is the best movie on lifetime I've seen so far, and I watch all of them. Great story line and great acting. I wonder if anyone knows if this movie was at all based on a true story or a fiction novel. If so, I would really like to read it. If anyone could tell me, PLEASE e-mail me! That song "it must be angels playing with my heart" is awesome.. Thanks, Kellie

I would have to truthfully say that this is the best movie ever made. It is a very touching story that will for sure make you cry! I will highly suggest that if you have not seen this movie, PLEASE watch it. You will not be sorry that you did! A for sure A+++

It took me a long time to find this movie and the title to it I just hope that lifetime would bring it back on Lifetime movies again, I know I can watch it online but I would like to see it on the Lifetime Channel Movies list, their old movies, that was a very good movie with Brittany Murphy and Joe penny I would also like to see it on DVD and be able to purchase it. Thank you,

Most made for TV movies are quite boring but this one is different. It had my full attention throughout the whole movie. I cried at the end. Joe Penny was excellent and so was Brittney Murphy. It was very touching when she was talking to her son while she was in heaven looking down at him. The movie was well written and could easy pass for a true story. I also like Terri Garr's performance also. This story line is so real. I can easily see young girls falling in love with an older man, especially the allure of being with a police officer. I would watch this movie again and still be captivated. Pleae watch this movie if you see it on TV!

This is your typical Lifetime movie for women who can't get a date on a friday night. The story is as lame as most of the movies how Men are pigs and all women are innocent even after they are sentenced and found guilty. Much of the acting is lame and unwatchable. Still, Brit Murphy holds the audiences attention even when she's not talking. Hard to believe this was made eight years ago, Murphy has changed a lot in her acting style and appearance. Murphy is an example that actors need to have a presence that holds the audiences attention. You could be a great actor of the stage and have no problem saying lines and performing in front of thousands of people. But without having a presence in your speech and body language, you fail to be an amazing actor. Although Victim of the Night (Double Jeopardy) is one of Murphy's not so great films, she is terrific in it and is one of the very few reasons to watch.