Menu for Murder (1990)

Menu for Murder Poster

Joanne Mayfield, head of the parental school commission, behaves like a dictator and makes all the other women her enemies. But when she suddenly falls dead on a party after having a sandwich, the main suspect is Susan, who served her the food. The handsome detective Joe Russo interrogates her repeatedly and they become friends. He invites her to help him with the investigation, what she happily accepts - too happily, says her husband.

Introduction
"Menu for Murder", also understood under the title "Mafia Salad", is a 1990 American television mystery crime film directed by Larry Elikann. The script was composed by Tom Schulman, the Academy Award-winning author known for the film "Dead Poets Society". Among its stellar cast are a host of recognized and prominent actors consisting of Morgan Fairchild, Claudia Christian, and Edie McClurg, to name a few. The movie follows the unique nature of suburban life camouflaged under a mystical murder.

Plot Overview
The story is embeded in the suburban landscapes of Los Angeles, more precisely in the prim and appropriate community of Beverly Hills. Here, the 2 homemakers and best friends, Polly (Morgan Fairchild) and Marian (Cristina Raines), set the story.

After years of leading tranquil, albeit attractive lives, things take an extreme turn when their dear friend, Joanna, is all of a sudden killed. With the cops on high alert, fear settles into the neighborhood. When it ends up being clear that the police are making no headway in the investigation, Polly and Marian take part in amateur detective work. Concealing their worry under the guise of neighborhood chatter, dishes exchanges, and social gos to, they set out to solve the secret themselves.

Main Characters and Performances
Morgan Fairchild as Polly and Cristina Raines as Marian deliver standout performances, representing the change from seemingly shallow rural housewives, to shrewd amateur detectives. Regardless of their seemingly typical lives, they unravel a series of shocking truths.

Supporting characters include Bill (Michael Nouri), Polly's spouse, and Margo (Edie McClurg), who includes a touch of funny to the otherwise gripping plot. Claudia Christian plays the function of Lt. Amanda Schuller, an identified cop aiming to fix the mystery behind Joanna's death.

Conclusion and Critical Reception
"Menu for Murder" is a dark, funny take on suburban life, where everybody has their secrets. It successfully satirizes the hypocrisy, shallowness, and superficiality of Beverly Hills, revealing that all is not always well under shiny excellence. The film completely intermingles components of secret, criminal offense, and comedy, making it an engaging and entertaining watch.

Seriously, the film earned considerable praise, especially for its strong performances, especially that of Fairchild and Raines. The film's clever script and plot twists were likewise valued by critics. Although a TV film, the unanticipated turns, the mixing of categories, and the meaning of suburban life, offered it an appeal beyond the small screen.

In essence, "Menu for Murder" can be finest referred to as a smart, interesting movie with unforgettable performances and a fascinating plot that keeps the audience intrigued till the very end.

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