I'll admit, I haven't seen Blind Faith since it first aired on television 22 years ago and my memory of this 1990 movie is a little blurry. But it did impact me enough at age 15 so that to this day anytime I hear the song "Take the Long Way Home" I am reminded of a scene from the movie (still clear as day in my mind), where the 1979 Supertramp hit plays on the car radio while a bubbly Joanna Kerns drives one of her sons home. It's one of the sweetest scenes in the movie, which fans of Robert Ullrich, Ms. Kerns, true-crime stories, and New Jersey history should enjoy if they're in the mood for a vintage TV movie. The acting is top-notch, the characters likable and memorable, and the plot is intriguing (even gripping, given the fact that it's based on a true story). However, like most films of this genre—TV movies—it does require the right day and state of mind to fully appreciate and enjoy.
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greenleaf-dominic10 April 2012
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keylight-43 May 2007This is a well-acted and absorbing drama, with appealing and talented actors. The piano soundtrack by Laurence Rosenthal was absolutely beautiful -- poignant and evocative. Robert Urich was very good as the weak and self-absorbed husband, and everybody in the movie was watchable, really. To me, the most tragic thing about the aftermath of Maria Marshall's murder was that her sons couldn't even look back on happy memories for comfort. In one scene, the boys are watching some old home movies of their parents and themselves when they were just toddlers. Their mother is laughing and playing with them in the swimming pool, while the father is roughhousing with them and laughing into the camera. But these sweet scenes are fractured by the knowledge that the mother they loved so much was murdered by their father, and they can no longer watch them with a normal feeling of nostalgia, or look back in sentimental memory at their family life.
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aballen24 January 2006I have seen this TV movie twice - and even though it seemed a little dragged out - I thought that the three sons were wonderful - not just as the sons and their reactions to their father - but all of CD) whatever, and he starts mouthing the words, and then recalls being in a car with his (now dead) mother, and she joins in the song and they spend a special time together. I loved the song, but I do not know who sings it or who wrote it, and would like get it. It's "hook" is 'Its a long way home". Can anyone help me on this? It is by a group I think and is on an album, but I couldn't catch the name from the TV movie.
Thanks. -
duesouth142019 February 2005Actually, I found this movie to be very good. Granted, it was long but on a snowy Saturday afternoon it was very entertaining. I say this because I think the acting was excellent. Robert Urich did a fantastic job as the self-centered father. The casting for all the characters was also very good It was intriguing how the whole story unfolded and kept me very interested. Also, I thought it was very important to show how the mother's death (and their father's possible involvement)effected the sons. It is one thing to deal with the death of your mother but to then have your father implicated in her death was done meticulously. The interaction among the three brothers was very interesting. I would definitely recommend this movie.
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Sylviastel13 August 2006This mini-series is one of my personal favorites. It was one of the first to show New Jersey not as gang-related or as urban but suburban Ocean County in Toms River, New Jersey. Joanna Kerns does a beautiful job playing the mother and the late Robert Urich does an equally superb job playing the father. The boys were played exceptionally well in despite of the growing suspicion of the father's involvement and his obvious guilt. He is still on New Jersey's death row and will never get executed in the state. I remember when I first watched this mini-series on television and later I watched it on lifetime. The mini-series depicts the story of a family who should have had it all only to blow up in the face of Mr. Marshall who arranged his wife's murder to collect insurance money. You can't forget Dennis Farina as the prosecutor in the role, Doris Roberts who plays the loving blinded older woman who helps with the boys, and Robin Strasser does a superb job playing the mistress who finally helps bring down Marshall. I am not saying that she wasn't guilty but you know that you can't judge somebody.
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Cottsteph5 June 2005I found this movie to be well acted and directed.It was a drama that left me feeling a little puzzled.What happened to a marriage that seemed so happy and solid at the beginning of the movie?When the story skips ahead two years,something has happened to Rob's marriage that has made him unhappy with Maria.He's now obsessed with Felice.Obsession is probably too weak of a word.He acts like his very existence depends upon Felice's love for him.There's really no explanation as to what has made Rob stop loving his wife except a small inference to a better physical relationship with Felice. What happened emotionally to change Rob's love for Maria?What made him seek out another woman?I guess we'll never know unless the answer is in the book which I admit I haven't read.The late Robert Urich's acting is good in this movie.One change I would have made in Rob's character is more discretion.He comes out and pretty much let's everyone know,including his three sons that he's been having an affair with Felice.He doesn't seem to care what anyone else thinks.He wants to move her in the house right away. This is soon after the death of his wife.He doesn't show a trace of sadness over the death of the mother of his three boys.Why doesn't he at least have the sense to know that his cold behavior may look a little suspicious not only to his sons and family members but also the police who are investigating the murder.If I had been Rob, I would have at least pretended to be grief stricken even if I didn't feel any grief.Doesn't he realize how this insensitivity might be interpreted by others.To me he's sort of saying "I'm glad she's gone". This behavior opens the possibility that he may have some involvement in her murder.The relationship that the three brothers have in this movie is moving.These brothers really do love each other and are not ashamed to show it.Jay Underwood does a super job as Chris and Johnny Galecki is appealing also.The actor who plays Roby,David Barry Gray is outstanding.I cannot praise this actor enough.I found my attention to be focused on him throughout most of the movie. His acting is so good that you don't realize he's acting.He's totally believable and living the part of his character.He comes close to stealing the movie in my mind.He is not afraid or ashamed to let his emotions be seen by anyone.This trait is important in an actor.It makes his performance more believable.I noticed in the internet movie database that he hasn't acted in any movies for a few years.This is a big mistake on someone's part.David Barry Gray needs to be cast in another movie soon.I know I would watch anything this talented actor appears in.
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aarickasmom14 November 2006I have been a huge fan of Robert Ulrich and JoAnna Kerns for a very long time. I never watched them on their TV Shows, but I have enjoyed watching them in Mini Series and on Lifetime Movies. I also read Joe McGinnis' book about this case.
It was a very good Movie. Great Cast and great Author. I like watching True Crime Movies but am always saddened by the tragedies that the real life People that had to live through these moments in their lives.
I just found out several days ago, that I am kin to the David Andrews in this Movie. I think he may be my second or third Cousin (if he is the Son of Actor, Dana Andrews). I have seen him in several Movies but never knew I was kin to him. I have a Son whose name is also David Andrews and we used to kid him whenever we saw David Andrews' name on TV, that he was a Movie Star. :) -
wroache14 July 2001I saw the two part mini-series when it first aired in 1990 and read the book soon after.
It is a very typical true life crime drama, that can pretty much be summed up with - a rich New Jersey man has his wife (the mother of his 3 sons) murdered for the insurance money and he gets caught. Nothing great or spectacular. No last minute twists or turns, no police evidence tampering, no plot that backfires. Just a regular old murder for hire, that was not even well known outside the Jersey area until the book and movie came out.
Such a simple drama could have easily been a 2 hour TV-movie but instead was a two parter, 4 hours long. It was boring to watch, since it just dragged on and on. Most of the movie was about the man's sons being upset about their mother's murder and their father's involvement, which got old real quick.
I would recommend reading the book over watching the movie since the book covers a lot more of the police investigation and trial than the movie does. As I said, the movie primarily focuses on the guy's sons.
If you wanna be bored you can catch the movie on Lifetime sometimes. -
Bunny0819 January 2021I saw this movie on TV back in 1990. I thought the acting was incredible. A very moving portrait of a family tragedy. I have tried to find a decent copy of it on YouTube but couldn't seem to find one that had good audio/video. If I can find this on DVD I will buy it for sure. Loved Robert Urich (R.I.P.), and Joanna Kerns in this! The actors who played the sons were also terrific! I had a massive crush on the son who played Roby, and I think the "real" Roby Marshall, may have married actress Tracey Gold. Not sure though. I rarely rate a movie 10/10, but I never get tired of watching this movie! Very tragic, though. Get the tissues ready!
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tazzzzz1 October 2000This was not a completely bad movie, but it would have been much better if it fit into a 2 hour TV block rather than 4. If you're fascinated by true crime, you may be interested in this, since it is based on a true story. Otherwise, there are better murder mysteries to see that will take less of your time.
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jpaparozzi6 September 2004This is an excellent, heart wrenching film; I cry every time I see how devastated those children were with the murder of their loving mom and the trial of their father. This film, more than any other film depicting a true crime story, takes one through the tumultuous upheaval that a victim of a violent crime suffers(in this case, these boys are the victims of their mom's murder by their dad.) Other true crime story films depict the violence or the plight of the defendant. As a former prosecutor and prison counselor, I know first hand that the victims of crime are too often ignored by the criminal justice system. This film hits an emotional home run in telling the victims' stories. The relationship between Maria Marshall and her sons is the cornerstone of the film, and it makes one realize the depth of suffering one endures with so senseless a crime. Her beauty as a loving mother is contrasted with Robert Marshall's self absorbed obsession with himself and his needs. Caught in the middle are three innocent children, devoted sons to both parents, believing with "blind faith" in the innocence of their dad despite the overwhelming evidence unfolding before them. Despite its length (4 hours), the film and the book by Joe McGinnis are worth your time. The 20th anniversary of Maria's murder is September 7, 2004.
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domincanredangel11 July 2007the way the father was all calm through it all was too guilty for me meaning his WHOLE NON CHALANT UN CARING attitude towards marie's death. what a real creepy guy,handsome charming etc.but you just really DO NOT always know how men are,even some women too in the world as i know just by looking at this jerk that he was guilty as urich puts on a great acting performance.
almost made me feel as i am watching him that HE HIMSELF was the killer he just LOOK guilty,was TOO quiet through it all and too suspect to me when your THIS quiet with something so serious like this involving the ex wife,or wife.
i love this film,real passion within his three boys.great acting as emotional scenes regarding acting to look AUTHENTIC AND GENUINE for most actors in movies TV is hard to do but they pull it off greatly they just loved their beautiful mother so much.
i am watching it this morning again,try to always see it when it is on. glad the father was truly seen for how ruthless he REALLY is. JERK.
may the mother rest in peace forever and live through her son's always.
was so sweet the youngest one who had a kid at 17 years old named his first daughter after the mother MARIA.now that is love. -
truered7139 October 2008I grew up with the Marshall family. We went to elementary school, middle school, high school east and mass at St.Joe's every Sunday. I knew John pretty well and he was always a sweetie and really funny. My older siblings new the older boys better then I. The movie was good. I feel bad for John, Chris and Roby though. The father was a very mean man and Mrs. Marshall was never nice to us either. God rest her soul. I think Joanna Kerns is a great actress but I cannot remember Maria being so nice. She was very rude to my Mother on one occasion and my Mother cried for days. I will never forget that. I hope the boys do not read this but it is true. They where in fact the richest family in my school and back in the 70's and 80's they seemed to be very well off. I remember there home and it was beautiful. To bad the parents looked down on people that where not on there social status.
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AllisonLVenezio1 October 2002When I was in ninth grade (1997-98), my spanish teacher told us about an incident in Bass River, New Jersey, in which a man set up the murder of his wife while en route to their home in Toms River, NJ after visiting Atlantic City. The man was having an affair with the Assistant Principal of a high school, and he arranged with her to make the killing of his wife possible. Now, I'll tell you how local this story really is. My former high school (graduated in 2001), Pinelands Regional High School, was where this principal worked. In 1984, she was arrested on school grounds for the killing of her lover's wife. Bass River Twp. (Burlington Co. border)is less than a mile from my house (southwest Ocean Co.), and I know the campground where she was killed (Bass River State Park). My Spanish teacher witnessed this woman getting arrested at my old school. The thing is, they changed the name of the school to protect it.
I just saw this movie on Sunday, and I realized how eerily local it was. The family lives in an affluent section of Toms River (I think North TR is the most affluent), and Robert Marshall is accused of having a hand in killing his wife, Maria. The movie is about the aftermath, and what the three Marshall boys, Chris, Robbie, and John Marshall go through.
What really amazes me is that this film is as local as it gets. I live about 35-40 minutes from Toms River, but I was only 2 when this incident happened, and not living in the area (I moved to Ocean County in 1985). The fact that this was centered around a principal at my own school was unbelievable, and the fact that my teacher told the story is beyond words.
While this movie was a typical movie of the week, the acting was decent, and the story was played out well. This was a famous story at my school, and I'm glad I knew about it before I saw this. If you catch this on Lifetime, I highly recommend it, especially to south Jerseyans like me, as it is local, and everyone knows almost nothing happens in south Jersey.