What Happened to Bobby Earl? (1997) (TV)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Bradley Wigor

Writer (WGA):

Joseph Maurer (written by)

Release Date:

28 January 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Rose Earl is proud as a peacock when Bobby, her eldest, whom she raised, like his kid brother Michael...

Plot Keywords:

Based On True Story | Character Name In Title

Cast

Kate Jackson	...	Rose Earl
Drew Ebersole	...	Bobby Earl
Matthew Settle	...	Tom Stahl
Kristian Alfonso	...	Chelsea Coals
Gary Basaraba	...	Jack Dietrick
Neal Huff	...	Michael Earl
Sean McCann	...	Mr. Earl
Vince Corazza	...	Mark
Henriette Ivanans	...	Jenny Kozinski
Jody Racicot	...	Andy
Scott Speedman	...	Steve Talbert
Carl Marotte	...	Officer Drummond
Kari Matchett	...	Nicki Corlis
Damir Andrei	...	Simon
Sean Dick	...	Jake

Also Known As:

Murder in a College Town

Runtime:

Germany:81 min | USA:120 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Company:

Hamdon Entertainment

Just Can't Believe That Anyone Could Screw This Horrible Tragedy Up Worse

I knew one of the persons involved in the real-life case from which this movie's plot evolved. I remember sitting, stunned, when I found out what had happened. As it appears, I cannot tell you about the case, because it would be a spoiler; yet, I don't think actually spelling out the entire movie in case could spoil it any worse than the company did by shooting it.

Kate Jackson plays a mother whose son has disappeared. She does an OK job, I guess, but she isn't given much support in either the plot additions or the making of the movie. The acting was flat; and the plot was muddied far beyond necessary by extra commentaries that really had nothing to do with the storyline. Maybe it was worse for me to finally view this movie, after years of looking for it, because I've been following the real cases and the shocking developments for almost 20 years now and know that there was more drama than imaginable from which to pull a gripping crime movie. There was so much heartache that followed the actual events that I did indeed lay awake some nights wondering about my friend. How could any movie so poorly relegate the actual tone that enveloped the actual crime? For anyone who really wants to be saddened and shocked, I suggest reading about Edward Swiger. Check him out on Google and do some research for yourself. You will understand my disappointment of this movie.