Frankly, United states of america network’s final decision to change “Filthy John,” its series dependent on Los Angeles Moments coverage of a sensational scenario, into a rotating series of “enjoy-targeted correct crime” dramas feels like a bit of a stretch. Yet placing that aside, “Betty Broderick” can take on a life of its very own, in a way that exposes the inequities of the technique toward females in the late nineteen eighties, when a desperate Broderick committed her crimes.
What the newest “Betty Broderick” zeroes in on, with the profit of distance, is the way that Broderick’s partner Dan (played with trademark unctuousness by Christian Slater) exploited the unequal power framework to punish his wife, squirrel away cash from his regulation follow and bulldoze more than her throughout the legal approach.
Granted, as a rich girl arguing not to have her way of life upended by divorce, Betty wasn’t the most sympathetic figure, and she became more and more threatening as the setbacks grew in number.
Notably, when Betty’s conduct became more alarming — complaining to exasperated close friends that Dan experienced “robbed me of every thing I experienced,” and buying a gun — her ex dismissed the recommendation that she posed any actual threat.
“She’s not going to eliminate the golden goose,” he states.
There’s no one actually to like in this scenario, and it truly is a bit morbid provided that we know how this sordid tale ends. Nevertheless, Peet’s raging, jealous, reside-wire performance is a occupation peak, and delivers a depth to Betty’s plight — especially as filtered by way of this period — that the average “Life span movie” lacks.
As a footnote, sister NBCUniversal community Oxygen will current its very own documentary devoted to the scenario, “Snapped: Betty Broderick,” in mid-July, ideal just after “Expensive John” wraps up.
Yet Betty only snapped just after a extended, unpleasant bend. By the time it truly is more than, Betty Broderick is the two “a girl scorned” and a single far better understood, devoid of sacrificing any of the trashy chewiness that has drawn viewers to this kind of substance since extended in advance of she at any time pulled the set off.
“Filthy John: The Betty Broderick Tale” premieres June two at 9 p.m. on United states of america.