Amid acrimonious divorce proceedings, Louise (Blythe Danner) unwittingly puts her life in danger when she contests the prenuptial agreement she signed before marrying attorney Arthur Jamison (Anthony Hopkins). He plans to kill her to resolve the situation. Armed with information on how her cheating husband conducts his business and personal affairs, she demands more money from him -- but will Arthur have the final word?
Acting
Hopkins' simmering arrogance vs. Danner's wounded steel—chef's kiss.
Writing
The screenplay's delicious irony: lawyer outmaneuvered by his own paperwork.
Direction
Greene stages the 'perfect murder' fantasies with sardonic visual wit.
Director
David Greene
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Anthony Hopkins' final American TV movie before Silence of the Lambs—he reportedly took it specifically to practice playing charming menace on a tight schedule.
The 1985 broadcast drew massive ratings partly because it aired during the real-life divorce of Burt Reynolds and Loni Anderson, making 'toxic marriage' oddly zeitgeisty comfort viewing.
US
