The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story

January. 01,2004      
Rating:
5.4
Trailer Synopsis Cast

Dean Cain portrays Scott Peterson, the California man accused of murdering his 8 month pregnant wife, Laci. Based on a true story.

G.W. Bailey as  Det. Gates
Sarah Brown as  Kate Vignatti
Dean Cain as  Scott Peterson
Roark Critchlow as  Todd Dewey
Tim Quill as  Brent Rocha

Reviews

Scanialara
2004/01/01

You won't be disappointed!

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VividSimon
2004/01/02

Simply Perfect

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FuzzyTagz
2004/01/03

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

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Adeel Hail
2004/01/04

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

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evening1
2004/01/05

Dean Cain provides a wonderful impersonation of the sociopathic Scott Peterson in this effective made-for-TV film about a self-centered man who didn't want the responsibilities of parenthood.The filmmakers effectively show the deadliness of denial. Undoubtedly there were problems in the relationship before this murder occurred but apparently everyone was so invested in the perfection of the match that they didn't want to say anything. "They're a fairy-tale couple and he's the prince," Laci's mother tells the press. "I love Scott for how he's taken care of Laci." Other good performances include G.W. Bailey as the lead detective on the case, whose skepticism about Scott grows from the moment he catches a whiff of bleach in the picture-perfect home. I was less satisfied with how Amber Frey was portrayed -- more like a virginal earth mother than the sexy temptress the real-life press made her out to be. Another flaw is that way too much time is given to the squabbles of Kate and Tommy, longtime friends of Laci and Scott who stand by him the longest. Who really cares about this couple's fights? When Scott's arrest finally does come, the filmmakers create a powerful sense of drama. I also found the last scene, of Scott peering through prison bars, to be chilling.Did these filmmakers produce a sequel? There's a lot more of the story to tell.

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clarknlex04
2004/01/06

I recently watched this film and have to be honest. I bought it because Dean Cain was playing a part in it. I live in the UK and had not heard much about Scott Peterson or what he was being accused of. My main reason for commenting on the film is the fact that seeing as this film is based on a sad true story (or should I say speculated from the writers and medias point of view)that Dean Cain played his part of Scott extremely well. It would of been a much better film had the trial been over so the ending would of been more understanding. As I didn't know much about the case I was asking myself what happened, was he guilty or innocent. I am writing this dated July 17th 2004 and I'm still not sure if Scott Peterson has had his trial. Although I don't think so as I'm sure it would be on the UK news channels as well. I'm also quite upset that the writer's didn't include in the film all the facts relating to the case. The fact that another pregnant woman was found on the same beach about a mile away should of been included. And the fact that the police didn't seem interested in the old lady who was pretty sure she seen Laci in the town with the dog, it's as if they wanted him to be guilty and didn't care if he wasn't. Also anyone who is being hounded by the press is going to try and disguise themselves (I know I would), I also heard that just because they found Laci's hair on her boat (yes I said her boat) there using this as evidence as well, but if it's her boat there's bound to be her hair on it. This seems a little extreme to me as if they are clutching at straws or something. It is a very good story in it's self and one which could've had a better ending but I for one did enjoy it but it wasn't what I expected to see. I actually thought the film was going to show Laci and Scott together to see just how well they did get on. After all he was being classed as the perfect husband. I hope I've not offended anyone with my comments, this was not my intention. I just wanted to comment on Dean Cain's superior acting skills. I'm sure everyone agrees. From Tracey (Dean Cain fan)

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whpratt1
2004/01/07

Dean Cain(Scott Peterson),"Dragon Fighter",'03, gave a great performance with the actual facts of the story as we presently have seen them over and over again. Dean Cain copied all the characteristics of Scott Peterson, which was a very difficult task to perform under all the circumstances concerning this case. I wonder if Scott will ever get a fair trial after the showing of this picture. The jurors in this case have a very hard job in trying to be fair and just!

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tcdarkness
2004/01/08

The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story is a TV-movie starring Dean Cain as Scott Peterson, the man accused of killing his 8-month-pregnant wife Laci (Meredith Lieber) and who'd had an affair with Amber Frey (Tracy Middendorf) in 2002.The movie was filmed before the murder case against Scott had even began, so of course the movie has to be rather ambivalent in its treatment of him. That is one of the major flaws of the movie. Without a settled case, the movie really beats around the bush as to whether or not Scott did the murder or if he was just a man with a bad secret who was wrongfully accused.For his part, Dean Cain plays the role well with hints of guilt, but the part was scripted as such it seems and he is not an endearing character. He could have been more convincing early in the script, before the revelation that he was a suspect, then shown as more conniving. From the get-go, his character just shows too many guilt signs and ever action of his says "look at me, this is a warning sign" instead of being more subliminal early.In all, there is a complete lack of a true central character. Laci is non-existent as a character in the movie, mostly just referred to in the past tense. The parents, rightfully so, share a large portion of the screen time and most of the sympathy of the viewer. But there are a lot of useless actors with bit roles (investigators, for instance) in the script to keep it true to the real-life people instead of amalgamated into a few more meaningful, dramatized characters.Overall, a lackluster effort and a movie made too soon with no real connection to the murdered individual. It just seems like the TV movie that it is instead of something more. 5/10

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