In the Best of Families: Marriage, Pride & Madness

I wasn't originally going to comment on this movie, but, after reading some of the other reviews, I felt like I needed to add to this.

Although most reviews of this film have been somewhat positive,there are a few of the reviews which have noted how unbelievable this story is and how this movie is not worth the time. I disagree.

Some people may not realize that this is based on true events that happened in the mid 1980s in North Carolina. As a local high school student when this all came to the forefront, and also having been lucky enough to be able to read Jerry Bledsoe's original articles when they were published in the Greensboro "News and Record" (the local paper where he was writing at the time), I can honestly say that most local folks were both amazed and disturbed by the whole situation and the senselessness of it all.

If you are interested in this movie and would like to learn more about the Klenner, Sharp, Newsom, and Lynch families, I suggest that you read "Bitter Blood" (by Jerry Bledsoe) -- the book on which this mini-series was based. The movie was good, but never have I found a crime novel that was as intriguing as this. A long read, but worth the time.

BITTER BLOOD is a great movie for Keith Carridine fans.

I am kind of surprised watching the LIFETIME channel. OLDEST BRIDESMAID had a lady lawyer out of touch with her emotions, BITTER BLOOD had a child killing housewife, and THE HIRED HEART had a lady MD with weird psychological problems. Keith Carradine, Brian Wimmer... the leading man is kind and nice. It just seems odd that these are the stories selected for a women's network.

I really thought this was a great movie. It was sad but hey, Wakeup!!! This really happens in life. I wished it came on more on lifetime. I haven't seen this movie in a long time and never caught all of it. I hope it comes back on sometime soon so i can watch the whole thing. I love the lifetime channel. This movie just goes to show lifetime has never let me down. I cried at the end, though. It was so sad to see how the kids ended up. I think this is a great movie to watch on a rainy Saturday afternoon. It is one to curl up on the sofa and get into. I wished it came on a DVD/VHS so that i could see it, the whole movie. Jayne Brook, from Chicago Hope, does a terrific job playing the new relationship in Tom's life. The only part i didn't like was the part Harry Hamlin played. He has done so much better than playing a guy who is a liar and one that would marry his cousin. However, i still would watch this movie again.

well i thought this is a really great movie i saw it when it first came on TV and i ain't seen it sense then but i wish i could see it again all the actors done a really good job and yes its true and it happened right here and the end happened right up the road from me and it was very sad and i sure wish i could find this movie on DVD or VHS cause i would love to own it so i could watch it anytime i wanted to i only have plain TV i don't have cable or satellite so i ain't seen it in a long time and i look for it on the web all the time but cant find it and my mom went to school with fritz klenner and my cousin worked at times turn around and seen fritz come in there all the time and well i just think that it was a really great movie and would love to own it if i could find it so let me know if you know how i can find this movie.

As many tv movies go, this two-part mini-series could sometimes be weak in the writing and acting departments, but still held a fascination because a) the events are true, and b) the climax took place just a few miles from my parents' house. In fact, I was acquainted with a relative of one of the families involved.

Some have commented on the lack of plausibility of the story, but the movie stayed true to the actual events for the most part. In fact, it even left out some factual details that did not seem implausible, but real life is often stranger than fiction. (I recommend reading Jerry Bledsoe's book "Bitter Blood," where the entire story will blow you away. The movie is based on this book.)

Regardless of the weak nature of a tv movie-of-the-week, including the disruptions for commercials when I first saw it broadcast over two nights, the series of tragedies that unfolded were still heart-wrenching and made my pulse race. If you can get past those usual weaknesses, you will find an amazing true story of a strange couple who, when put together, seemed to lose all perspective on reality and unleashed a diabolical plot to retain full custody of the woman's two little boys from a previous marriage. If the movie is available for rental, it's probably worth checking out, but not as light-hearted viewing.