Woman on Trial: The Lawrencia Bembenek Story (1993)

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Very compulsive viewing without any foul language . Obviously this was police corruption at its height as Laurie Bembeneck had been a whistle blower and reported sexual and racial discrimination to a lawyer.Result was she was sacked and in order to make a living she was even a part time Playboy Bunnie. Meeting a detective at a night club and one thing leading to another they were married in a matter of weeks not even inviting any parents or whatever. All Laurie knows about his ex wife is what he told her-there were 2 kids she had custody of and in fact he had no rights at all and was being paid so much per month he had very little left after apartment rents etc.This was the first sign of him not being what he seemed as Irretrevable Breakdown wouldn't allow her to have claimed so much. But whatever she ends up being murdered and both of them had a motive. So the police department see the door open for Revenge,she is sent down for life and he's out of it clearing off and remarrying after she doesn't refuse the divorce. The trial of course is a farce as we learn later when another lawyer discovers evidence was suppressed or even fabricated in an attempt to put her at the scene of the crime. During her years in prison she had a Prison Visitor who eventually asked her to marry him.He also talked her into escaping which she did and the two of them went to Canada.After photos were seen on America's Most Wanted somebody reported her as being in their town with a man.Both arrested she got another 5 years on her sentence and given a years solitary. Meanwhile the public are coming out on her side in droves and another lawyer uncovers vital evidence.But the police are unwilling to open the case up again-various Appeals had failed-and she was advised to plead No Contest.Which means she hasn't admitted Guilt but not Innocence either. However it works and she's eventually out after realising that she would never get Parole unless she admits she did it and is sorry. No one has ever been caught for the murder

If you are a Tatum O'Neal fan this is a must see movie. The story is based on true events and is amazing and very entertaining. The story is about a small town gal accused of the death of her husband's ex-wife. Yeah I know what your thinking, see one like it before... but wait. There is police cover up and and a lot of wrong doing to see that Lawrencia Bembenek (Tatum O'Neal) is charged in the case. The story is full of twists and becomes a huge media event. The acting by everyone is very good. And even though the movie is long, there is nothing bad about watching Tatum and seeing her face for 3 hours! Hope to see lots more of her in the future. If there is only one actor or actress i would like to meet, it would be Tatum O'Neal.

This film sort of reminded me of I Want To Live. A phony movie claiming a female criminal is innocent. Why is it that so many people felt sorry for Lori? She was fairly tried and convicted. Her case is a "miscarriage" of justice only in the sense she brutally killed someone and only served a little over 10 years for it. There were witnesses and a mountain of evidence against her that she was really the one who killed Christine Schultz.

Justice was definitely blind to the plight of Lawrencia Bembenek, who served 10 years in prison for the murder of her husband's ex-wife, in which she obviously had no role.In this engrossing film, Lawri (aka 'Bambi') is beautifully played by Tatum O'Neal. Although this TV movie lasts for 3 1/2 hours, it is so totally intriguing that I had to wait for commercials to take a break or grab a snack.You cannot help but feel empathy for this incredibly attractive young woman, who was set-up and/or victimized by everyone including her husband, the incompetent attorney who represented her, the Milwaukee police department, the U.S. justice system and trusted friends. The story exposes how blind our justice system can be, as time-after-time Lawri's attempts to appeal her case are denied despite new evidence that attests to her innocence.Only Canada seems to get it. Highly recommended!