LUST FOR MURDER (LINDA)

US, 1993, 86 minutes, Colour.
Virginia Madsen, Richard Thomas, Ted Mc Ginley, Laura Harrington.
Directed by Nathanial Gutman.

Lust for Murder is a telemovie which, while on the screen, is interesting but seems rather far-fetched in retrospect. It focuses on Virginia Madsen as a seemingly ordinary housewife who turns out to be a deadly femme fatale. She is married to Richard Thomas, an earnest and nice husband. When they go on holidays with the neighbours, things start to go badly and finish up with the murder of the neighbour’s wife. With all the evidence pointing against him, Richard Thomas is arrested but uses his ingenuity to trap his wife and the neighbour.

The film depends on the presence of the cast, Richard Thomas being sympathetic and Virginia Madsen being the hard cold blonde.

1. Interesting and enjoyable telemovie? Marriage, fidelity, betrayal, murder?

2. The plausibility of the plot? To go to such lengths as murder for separation and a new life? The behaviour of Paul, especially in escaping from the prison and trapping his wife and Jeff?

3. The picture of the marriage, ordinary, home life, the narrative by Paul and his observations? The neighbours moving in, the visits, the meals? Paul and Jeff working together? The proposal of the holiday, Paul’s refusal because of financial difficulties? Linda and her seductive ways, his giving in?

4. The holiday, Paul and Linda driving, Jeff and Stella flying? The house, the beach, isolation? A good beginning?

5. Linda and Jeff going off walking, away all day, the effect on Paul? Talking sympathetically to Stella? His confronting Jeff, being punched out?

6. The time with Stella, talking, wondering what was happening, the possibility of their being thrown together, at the shooting gallery, at the motel?

7. The morning of the shooting, Paul and his note, on the beach, Linda’s sudden violence, his wrestling with her to get the rifle?

8. The aftermath, his going to the police, explanations, their coming, Linda and Jeff coming as innocent?

9. The arrest, their talking with the lawyer, his advice, Paul sticking to his story? The innocence of Linda and Jeff?

10. His being found guilty, to go to court, in the cell, Linda’s visit and her acting? His ingenuity in getting out of the cell? Going to house, taping the conversation – and the recorder falling into the water?

11. His return, his going to David Hill, his listening to the tape, his wife’s support? Persuading the police and the lawyers to listen?

12. Linda listening to the tape and her cool attitude, calling it a fake? The contrast with Jeff, brazening it out, changing his mind, his confession?

13. Eight months later, Paul visiting Linda in prison, her pathetic attitudes, his love for her – and his leaving her?

14. The emotional impact of the film, audience identification with Paul, his being framed, attitude towards Linda and Jeff?