The Two Mr. Kissels (2008) (TV)

Director:

Ed Bianchi

Writer:

Maria Nation (written by)

Release Date:

15 November 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Character Name In Title | Number In Title

Awards:

1 win

Cast

London Angelis	...	young Andrew Kissel
Benz Antoine	...	Construction Manager
Grace Armas	...	Mateah
Anthony Bekenn	...	Trial Judge
Brad Borbridge	...	Coroner
Karen Cliche	...	Pris
Lynne Cormack	...	Sophia
Will Corno	...	Mover #1
Martin Doyle	...	George Miniter
Gretchen Egolf	...	Haley
Craig Eldridge	...	Jeffrey
John Fleming	...	Young Rob Kissel
Sally Gifford	...	Sylvie
Carlos Gonzalez-Vio	...	Juan Castillo
Jake Goodman	...	Davis Kissel
Elizabeth Hart	...	young Deborah Kissel
Meghan Heffern	...	Waitress
Cassidi Hoag	...	Mary at 9 & 11
Jay Hunter	...	Coroner #2
Karen Ivany	...	Roz
Téa Jacobson	...	Deborah Kissel
Amy Ciupak Lalonde	...	Lizzy
Darrin Maharaj	...	Reporter #1
Anson Mount	...	Robert Kissel
Paulino Nunes	...	Frank Shea
Olivia Palenstein	...	Jane Kissel
Imali Perera	...	Reporter #4
Kristina Pesic	...	Babs
Gerry Quigley	...	Mailman
Simon Reynolds	...	David Pariser
Chuck Shamata	...	Bill Kissel
John Stamos	...	Andrew Kissel
Joy Tanner	...	Personal Shopper
Robin Tunney	...	Nancy
Rachel Wilson	...	Melinda

Also Known As:

Killing Mr. Kissel (USA) (working title)

Company:

Dan Wigutow Productions

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Nancy is on the couch with Tony and Robert calls her from Hong Kong, the flip phone she is on snaps shut as she answers it. She then opens it fully and begins her conversation with her husband. If a flip phone is opened part of the way and then closes, even if it is not opened fully, the call is disconnected.

Soundtrack:

Never Surrender

Uneven dramatization of a true story

Lifetime Television's "The Two Mr. Kissels," based on the true story of two murdered brothers, stars John Stamos as Andrew Kissel, Anson Mount as Robert Kissel, and Robin Tunney as Robert's wife, Nancy. Somehow, a fascinating story was rendered fairly uninteresting by the script. With better writing, this might have been a compelling, old-fashioned two-parter, as there is certainly enough material out there.

The Kissel brothers were wealthy and seemingly successful young men - Robert was a brilliant businessman whose career had an upward trajectory. Unfortunately, he married a narcissistic money-grubber (Tunney) who falls for a cable guy (in real life a stereo repairman) and decides she's better off with all of the cash and no husband. Andrew could have been a successful entrepreneur, but he needed to come up to par with his brother and make a big splash. He becomes a cocaine-addicted, womanizing con artist, married to a successful woman who truly loves him and turns a blind eye to his shady deals and late nights.

The murders of both men are handled well, but one never gets a strong sense of the relationship between the two brothers or any handle on the character of Robert. John Stamos does a good job with the material, but the best role in the film belongs to Robin Tunney as Nancy. She's excellent. It's really the only fleshed out part in the film.

There was a good deal more that went on in this real-life saga, including in court. In the end, I felt that the script let down what should have been a fascinating story.