I know. I know. There are so many to choose from.
But if you loved that classic "A Woman Scorned: The Betty Broderick Story" (and part two, "Her Final Fury") "Ann Rule's Everything She Ever Wanted" (Lifetime Movie Network, 8 tonight; Sunday at 8 p.m.) is the movie for you.
While you could argue that Betty B. was mildly justified for her murderous rage, Pat Allanson (played by Botox-y Gina Gershon) is just deliciously sociopathic.
She's your basic Southern Belle seductress, a red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting. The story begins as Pat gets set to marry Tom (Ryan McPartlin), who is 7 years her junior.
You can tell she's crazy right away. Her theme for the wedding is "Gone With the Wind" and she insists that not only all her guests dress up, but that her fiance wear a fake Rhett Butler mustache.
Tom's wealthy father Walter (the always welcome Victor Garber) doesn't approve of the marriage; it seems Pat is the town ho, and Tom started seeing her before he was divorced from his first wife, with whom he has two children.
Pat's Scarlett O'Hara obsession keeps growing after the wedding; she spots a house (an estate, really) for sale, her "Tara." The only thing is they can't really afford it. Tom knows that, but Pat won't take no for an answer. So she wiggles her hips and jumps his bones. The next thing you know, they're throwing a housewarming.
But then Tom loses his job and things get really bad. Tom and Walter are on the outs, partly because of an "incident" between Pat and Walter. Actually 'on the outs 'is mild -- they are at war. Pat and Tom are on the verge of losing the house they named Glennwood, after Pat's deceased brother.
Yet, losing the house isn't an option, as far as Pat's concerned. And that's when all heck breaks loose.
By the time we get to the end of part one, three people are dead (the last scene is especially creepy). Part Two starts off a little slower because it's kind of a restart, but when it gets going, it's choice viewing too.
Gina Gershon doesn't have those Meredith Birney acting chops, but she's played enough vamps to do fine as a honey-tongued seductress . She does this blank look that definitely says "uh oh, run for your life."
My only quibble is that it ends rather abruptly.
Still, it's one of those Lifetime movies that make you laugh even while you are watching pure evil-- a little campy and a lot of fun.
Watch it this weekend, but trust me, you'll be watching it for years to come.
Assistant Features Editor Adrienne Johnson Martin would like to have her life turned into an animated cartoon.
Comments
Books are not movies
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 19:54 — adriennj (author)I understand your annoyance, but I think the best policy is to not expect movie adaptations to be like the book. In this case, there was a note making clear that it was "inspired" by the events in the book. Here, you have Ann Rule trying to chronicle a true story and the folks at Lifetime (and whomever the writer and/or director) having a different goal and a different vision. Lifetime knows what works for them and what the audience wants. Following the book isn't a priority.
This is Everything She Ever Wanted
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 19:27 — sailawayaussiesIt barely follows the book. The characters are NOT like the real criminals and victims. If you had horses in Southwest Atlanta in the 60's you knew Pat Allanson. You knew Tom Allanson. He was a blacksmith. Large man with a lot of muscle. This is so far from the book it is ridiculous!