Diagonaldi Very well executed

Solemplex To me, this movie is perfection.

Zandra The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Darin One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

moonspinner55 Ex-Army man with a wife and two teenagers constantly relocates his family from town to town, eventually landing in Wyoming in 1981; there, his kids finally snap after suffering years of his mental, verbal and physical abuse. Once 1984's "The Burning Bed" was telecast to huge ratings, the hot topic for TV movies-of-the-week became abuse (spousal, familial or otherwise)--and if the story could be based upon a true incident, so much the better. This dramatization of events which happened to the real-life Jahnke family is well-acted by a solid cast, firmly directed by TV veteran John Erman, yet it has a faint whiff of exploitation (evident from the film's title). The bullying, some might say psychotic father (played with a convincing angry swagger by Frederic Forrest) has a hair-trigger temper, hates outsiders and has guns all over the house; he belittles his boy, beats up on his wife and has turned his daughter into a mass of insecurities. Viewers are asked to decide if the kids had the right to take his life. Dark subject matter with hard-hitting scenes could be a discussion-starter about such legal issues, although the final coda clears implies there are no winners here.

judybug-1 I seen this movie when it first aired years ago and I have always wondered about Richard and Deborah and how they are doing and where they are now. When I first saw this movie my heart went out to them both....I ,if I were a juror then,could not have sent them to jail. Does anyone know how they are doing? I have searched the internet and cannot as of yet find any information.I have never forgotten these poor kids. If anyone has any info,I would greatly appreciate it. I know that they are in their early 40's at present and I hope they are free and having a good productive life after growing up in such an abusive household. Thanks so much!

sbrnnxn I was a senior in high school when this movie came on tv. I really enjoyed it and it showed Justine Bateman in rare form (totally different from her role in Family Ties). It sort of reminded me of the days when my parents were really strict(about going to prom, dances, parties,etc), but this movie takes the cake. Dysfunction at its worse. I highly recommend this movie if you can find it.

Ankhoryt Frederic Forrest does a fine job as the emotionally and physically abusive father in this early entry in the "dysfunctional family" genre. Here's a toast to all the actors who have to do the dirty job of making child abusers, rapists, and wife-beaters come alive on screen; it must be harrowing, thankless work.The writer and director should get credit too, for giving Forrest the lines and settings for his truly creepy performance. All the actors did well -- Justine Bateman was nominated for a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Deborah Jahnke -- but Forrest should get special kudos. (Don't you wonder if anyone would eat lunch with him on the set? or if they shunned him for the duration?)The film's mission of revealing the gaps in our domestic violence policies works as well as a drama as a political statement. A teacher is slow to believe; a social worker questions the kids and mother about abuse in front of the abuser; the rural home has no near neighbors and the rural community presumably has limited shelter resources.Gossip in town that acquitting the Wyoming teen will be a "license to kill" for other abused kids not only reflects this case (the writers relied on interviews, transcripts, and news reports), but echoes what was said about one of the first battered wives to go on trial for killing an abuser in Michigan, years before.Watch it if you've got a strong stomach or a strong interest in domestic violence. Otherwise, it's too much of a downer to qualify as "entertainment," despite the excellent performances and powerful script.