Matthew Sommer Movies
- 2001
Angela Lansbury plays a dual role in this feature-length spinoff of her popular TV series Murder, She Wrote. The actress first appears in her traditional guise as matronly mystery writer and erstwhile detective Jessica Fletcher, who attends a lecture delivered by black history specialist Cassandra Hawkins (Phylicia Rashad). Jessica becomes intrigued by Hawkins' tireless efforts to clear the name of her ancestor, antebellum slave Samuel Pickney (Michael Jace), who, in 1861, was lynched after being accused of murdering his white master. Doing some research of her own, Jessica projects herself back 140 years and into the mind of her own ancestor, Virginia aristocrat Sarah McCullough -- who turns out to have been an accomplished amateur detective in her own right. Murder, She Wrote: The Last Free Man made its CBS network bow on May 2, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Habitually abused by her arrogant surgeon husband Thomas (Stephen Lang), successful realtor Elizabeth Cooper (Joanna Kerns) has decided to get a divorce. Shortly after this decision, Elizabeth is in conference with a new client, John Davis (Tim Matheson)--who stops her short by announcing that he is a "hit man", hired by Thomas to murder Elizabeth. But after meeting his potential victim, John has had a change of heart, and is now determined to rescue her from her husband. Togther, John and Elizabeth formulate a plan: She will disappear, he will arrange the evidence to make it seem as if he's killed her, and then he'll trap Thomas into a confession. Although she hates the idea of being so long separated from her beloved children, Elizabeth agrees to the scheme. That things don't go off precisely as intended should at this point be a foregone conclusion. Made for television (and based on a true story to boot!), At the Mercy of a Stranger first aired November 3, 1999, on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
