I caught this HBO Movie on HBO as it turns out. Based on a true story, the film begins with one portrayal of the tragic death of Dr. Herman Tarnower, and ends with another portrayal. Statements from the trial are used as springboards into the retelling of events that lead up to that fatality. Murder or accidental death -- the film leaves that call up to you, though history states that Mrs. Harris was found guilty.

As someone unfamiliar with the real event, I didn't appreciate that the first scene tells me that this unconventional love story ended in death. However, taken on the whole, it's interesting these two portrayals sandwiching the film like sliced bread -- or more appropriately -- bookends. I did feel that the testimony on the stand felt a bit manipulative. By that I mean it was completely used as a tool to tell the story and not to show balanced arguments. Though, I don't know the truth of the matter, I got the feeling it was tweaked a bit too, for shock value. Also, I find it hard to believe she wouldn't have been briefed by her lawyer that he was going to ask that suicide question.

Both Benning and Kingsley (who were the reasons I watched the film in the first place) give respectable performances. But after their incredible efforts in "Sexy Beast" (Kingsley) and "American Beauty" (Benning) among other films, here, they don't raise their own bars.

The story is interesting, their characters interesting, and while never boring, the picture never greatly impresses nor has much in the way of insight.

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