The excruciating, yet dubious testimony. The unending, possibly disingenuous tears. The unquestionably hideous sweaters. In 1993, America was glued to their TV sets as the Menendez murder trial played out live on CourtTV. The court of public opinion sat rapt as the proceedings unfolded before them. It may not have been the first televised murder trial, but it is certainly one of the most memorable.
What could have prompted these two brothers to repaint the family room with their parents’ blood? Only Erik and Lyle Menendez really know for sure. Luckily, we have the Lifetime Movie Network to elucidate what may have led up to this brutal execution with MENDENDEZ: BLOOD BROTHERS (2017), starring Myko Olivier, Nico Tortorella, and Courtney Love. Told mostly using trial transcripts, Erik’s (Oliver) conversations with the apparition of his doting-but-dead mother (Love), and a hefty load of presumption, this melodramatic reenactment of family dysfunction illustrates the potential consequences of sociopathic and abusive parenting. While we deliberate over whether or not this abuse excuse is legitimate, we also contemplate the mystery of the sweet potato knob left in Rachel’s refrigerator, as well as seriously question the acumen of one of our listeners. Also: Has Stephanie been divinely inseminated by a deity? Missing this one would be a BLOODY shame!
TRIGGER ALERT: This episode discusses sexual molestation and abuse.
This movie can be viewed on the Lifetime Movie Club app and Amazon Prime Video.
