Overview"Small Sacrifices" is a 1989 American television movie that was directed by David Greene and co-written by Joyce Eliason and Greene. The film stars Farrah Fawcett, Ryan O'Neal and John Shea. It is based upon the real story of Diane Downs and the murders of her children. The story was based upon the best-selling book by Ann Rule of the same name.
Plot Summary"Small Sacrifices" starts with a spooky scene where Downs generates her 3 injured children to the health center. She insists a 'bushy-haired complete stranger' shot them and herself, however the police start investigating her inconsistency and psychological indifference. The story then deciphers through flashbacks and courtroom scenes.
Downs wishes to live a free life. She is involved in adulterous affairs and finally falls for a married man, Robert Knickerbocker (John Shea), who doesn't desire children. Her kids - Christie, Cheryl, and Danny - become challenges in her enthusiastic relationship. The film implies the callous choice Downs makes to murder her kids to make her method to Knickerbocker clearer.
The film shifts in between courtroom scenes and flashbacks of Downs' life, exposing her unstable character and lack of motherly love. Farrah Fawcett, noted for her attractive image, incredibly portrays the cold-hearted and manipulative nature of Diane Downs.
Representation of Diane DownsFarrah Fawcett gives a chilling efficiency as Diane Downs, a female who has an eerie detachment from the scary occasions taking place in her life. Throughout the trial, her attempted manipulation of law enforcement and the media, and even her interactions with her seriously injured kids, Diane continually represents a disturbing detachment from truth, and an upsetting lack of emotional depth and compassion.
Courtroom Drama and AftermathThe courtroom scenes in the movie are rather tense and effective. Prosecuting attorney Fred Hugi (Gordon Clapp) is identified to bring justice to the innocent lives affected. All the while, Downs preserves her innocence and tries to control the situation in her favor but is lastly founded guilty. The climax sees Christie, her eldest, taking the stand to testify versus her mom, supported by lawyer Fred Hugi who later on adopts the making it through kids.
Conclusion"Small Sacrifices" is a troubling yet compelling film adaptation of a terrible act of a mother, provided its credibility due to being based upon a real story. It highlights the unthinkable aspects of humanity through a heart-wrenching story. Farrah Fawcett shines in her function as Diane Downs, which lets us explore the darkest corners of a criminal mind. Her captivating and chilling performance won her an election for the Emmy and Golden Globe awards making the movie a one-time however rewarding watch.
"Small Sacrifices" is as much a tale of justice as it is of the abstruse crime a mom can dedicate. It eventually exposes the strength of the fact, even when suppressed, to surface area and verify against the most terrible act. The small screen adjustment of such an extreme narrative was performed commendably, making it among the extraordinary crime dramas in American television history.
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