THE MORRISON MURDERS
US, 1996, 90 minutes, Colour.
John Corbett, Jonathan Scarfe, Gordon Clapp, Maya Mc Laughlin.
Directed by Chris Thomson.
The Morrison Murders is based on a true story. It focuses on two brothers, John Corbett (Northern Exposure and later, My Big Fat Greek Wedding) and Jonathan Scarfe (to play Jesus in the telefilm Judas five years later). Their parents have been killed along with their younger brother.
The film is not so much a murder mystery – it is evident that the younger brother did the crime. However, the drama is on the disbelief of the older brother, the hostility of his wife, the suspicious behaviour of the killer brother and his gradually revealing the truth.
Gordon Clapp from television’s NYPD Blue is the local sheriff. The direction is by Chris Thomson, New Zealand-born director, who made a number of films and television movies in Australia as well as some in the United States. He directed The Empty Beach and Kylie Minogue in The Delinquents.
1.An interesting crime drama? Based on a true story? The Georgia setting? The credibility of the characters, the crime, the investigation?
2.Georgia, the town, the houses, police precincts? Authentic? Musical score?
3.The title, the focus on the family, on the brothers? The opening and Luke discovering the bodies, his reaction, with his girlfriend? His absent brother? The suspicions?
4.The drama, the screenplay indicating that Luke was guilty? The suspicions on Walker? The dramatic tension between the two? Luke and his extravagant behaviour, the sheriff and his investigations? Patti and her suspicions and hostility? The final revelation of the truth?
5.The character of Luke, young, resenting his strict father, his mother with her Bible morality, her making the younger brother a favourite? His working as a truck driver? Inheriting the money, the extravagance with the car, the jewellery? Marrying Kimberly? The suspicions, his reaction, failing the lie detector test, refusing to take another, falling out with Walker? Moving away? The return, out of money, his pride in the baby, wanting a job, Walker and gaining his confidence, the revelation of the truth, his arrest?
6.Walker, serious, hard done by his father, the flashbacks and his father’s treatment, the favouritism of Bobby? His work, the company, relationship with his wife, the children? His not believing that Luke could kill the family? The sheriff and his interrogations, suspicions? Patti and her hostility? Luke taking the children and bringing them back? His witnessing the interrogation by the psychologist? The fall-out with Luke? His return, his agreement to be wired? The confession? A future?
7.The sheriff, his suspicions, interrogations, work, concerns? The psychologist’s interview with Luke?
8.Patti, her love for Walker, the family, suspicions of Luke, discussions with the sheriff? The taking of the children? Her not wanting Luke in the house, calling the police?
9.Kimberly, devotion to Luke, her parents and their strictness? The marriage, the baby, her disillusionment at the end?
10.A picture of an ordinary family, jealousies and anger? Violence and murder? Investigations?
