'Perfect Murder, Perfect Town'
Hollywood Reporter
Barry Garron
February 25, 2000
Who wants to murder a multimillionaire's daughter? That's the central question in "Perfect
Murder, Perfect Town," a two-part miniseries on the klutzy investigation into the death three
years ago of 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey.
Considering that no one has been convicted -- or even indicted -- for the crime that
occurred in pristine Boulder, Colo., it may have been the perfect murder in the perfect town.
But this isn't a perfect story and, consequently, it is far less than a perfect TV project. The
drama comes in fits and starts, and the emotional payoff never arrives. Given all that, you
end up with a tale that is far better suited to a "Frontline" documentary than a sweep
miniseries.
Lawrence Schiller ('The Executioner's Song") directed and produced the four-hour project
based on his own best-selling book on the case. Good journalist that he is, Schiller was
scrupulously fair with everyone involved in the case and never takes sides. That objectivity,
the hallmark of a good reporter, also robs the story of a satisfying conclusion and works
against the development of an emotional attachment to any of the main characters.
From the beginning, the most obvious suspects are JonBenet's parents, John (Ronny Cox of
"St. Else-where") and Patsy (Marg Helgenberger of "China Beach"). Although there is only
slight circumstantial evidence of their participation in the murder of JonBenet (Dyanne
Iandoli), there simply are no other suspects with either motive or opportunity to commit the
murder. Cox and Helgenberger do a marvelous job of keeping us off-balance with suspicious
behavior that suggests either guilt or the foggy thinking that may accompany sudden
tragedy.
Although the reaction of the Ramseys is by far the most interesting aspect of this story,
Schiller has no intention of narrowly focusing on their guilt or innocence.
Instead, he and writer Tom Topor make this a story about the investigation itself, with
emphasis on the internecine feuding between District Attorney Alex Hunter (Ken Howard of
"The White Shadow") and Boulder police commander John Eller (Murphy Guyer), neither of
whom is capable of arousing much admiration or sympathy. The same is true of the
single-minded lead detective, Steve Thomas, played by Scott Cohen ("Gia"), and Lou Smit
(Kris Kristofferson), hired by the D.A. to do a separate investigation.
The mini also includes a significant role for Sean Whalen, who plays Jeff Shapiro, a sleazy
researcher for the tabloid Globe newspaper, with macabre gusto. Just when you think you'll
never be able to pick out the most despicable character in this project, along comes Shapiro
to make the job simple.
Give the show credit for neither sensationalizing nor overly exploiting a story on which
tabloids feasted for years. But take away points for a clinical approach that diffuses the
focus and keeps us at arm's length.
JonBenet miniseries intrigues as it exploits
Rocky Mountain News
Dusty Saunders
February 27, 2000
Like the ongoing Boulder investigation, CBS' four-hour miniseries about the death of JonBenet
Ramsey is anything but perfect.
Still, viewers, particularly those who have closely followed the grisly case, will find Perfect
Murder, Perfect Town (8 p.m. today and Wednesday), KCNC-Channel 4) an intriguing
scenario about why JonBenet's brutal murder remains unsolved after more than three years.
The four-hour production, based on Lawrence Schiller's book, is difficult to categorize, since
it contains elements of a murder mystery, a psychological study and a television
documentary.
It begins with the dramatization of events starting with Christmas Eve 1996 and ends with
the grand jury's being dismissed nearly three years later after no charges were filed.
Viewers unfamiliar with Schiller's book should be advised that Perfect Murder, Perfect Town
does not unravel the mystery of JonBenet's death, although a final scene points a strong
accusatory finger at Patsy Ramsey. Earlier, the film devises a Ramseys-are-innocent
scenario through theories advanced by veteran homicide detective Lou Smit (Kris
Kristofferson).
The film, directed by Schiller, attempts to explain why the murder has not been solved.
In a recent interview, Schiller said, "The film is like an editorial.
"I'm trying to tell the story of the battle that took place during the struggle for justice. "
This "battle" will be "reviewed" on many levels.
None of the key individuals is disguised by an alias. Boulder District Attorney Alex Hunter can
see himself portrayed, very smugly, by Ken Howard. So it is with more than a dozen
principals.
Everyone connected closely or peripherally with the murder investigation will view Schiller's
project from personal perspectives, thus producing critiques on many levels.
Sunday's two hours begin with dramatized events leading up to the discovery of the body --
a particularly grisly segment showing John Ramsey (Ronny Cox) finding the stiffened corpse
of JonBenet in the dark room of the basement. A repulsive-looking wax dummy represents the
dead girl in several unnecessary close-up scenes.
Perfect Murder, Perfect Town is played out in chronological fashion, re-creating scenes of
the Boulder police investigation, the reactions of the Ramseys, the ongoing, often-nasty tug
of war between police and Hunter's office, press coverage (particularly by the Globe
tabloid) and many other sidebar issues that have made following the JonBenet case
somewhat of a national pastime.
Productionwise, Perfect Murder, Perfect Town looks authentic. While interior filming was done
in Utah, many exterior scenes, including the Ramsey home, were shot in Boulder.
Cox and Marg Helgenberger, as Patsy, turn in believable performances -- believable from the
perspective of what the public knows of the Ramseys from print and electronic coverage.
The familiar scene of the Ramseys on television, live from Atlanta, in which they claim a killer
is on the loose in Boulder is re-created with eerie accuracy.
And Helgenberger is extremely effective in a highly charged segment at the beginning of
Wednesday's production when Patsy is faced with stern questioning by Boulder detective
Steve Thomas (Scott Cohen).
Viewers accustomed to fictional TV cop dramas with more action than talk might become
restless during Wednesday's two hours, which are heavy on dialogue dramatizing the conflict
between Boulder police and Hunter's office over the investigation and prosecution of the
crime.
The film ends with an overview of how the case has affected those closely involved, with
scenes of the actors dissolving into portraits of the real people.
Many will claim, somewhat legitimately, that Perfect Murder, Perfect Town is simply another
high-profile example of television exploitation. Still, the theories, played out dramatically,
about why the case has never been solved ofen provide intriguing viewing.
Are Schiller's accounts accurate? Semi-accurate? We may never know, particularly if this
tragic case is never resolved.
Marg Helgenberger and Ronny Cox have been asked repeatedly about their mind-sets during
production of Perfect Murder, Perfect Town.
"I stayed away from thinking about Patsy's guilt or innocence. As an actress, I had to,"
Helgenberger said during a recent Hollywood interview.
"I chose to play her as innocent because she claims to be so. I think it's a more interesting
choice to play someone innocent than guilty.
"Obviously, many people I've come in contact with have an opinion about the Ramseys. Many
feel they're responsible for JonBenet's death in some way, mainly Patsy. But I'm willing to
defend her to the end."
Cox said he came to the film project "thinking the Ramseys probably were guilty."
"But the more I read and studied, I couldn't find proof beyond a reasonable doubt. I've asked
myself, 'What happened to the presumption of innocence?'
"As an actor, I had to play John Ramsey, even with his often-strange behavior, as a man
who has not been proven guilty of a heinous crime."
Neither actor had personal contact with the Ramseys.
Perfect Murder, Perfect Town
Variety
By Michael Speier
February, 24, 2000
(Miniseries -- CBS; Sun. Feb. 27, Wed., March 1, 9 p.m.)
Amy Fisher and O.J. Simpson should be jealous. While "Perfect Murder, Perfect Town" isn't
the most intellectual project on CBS' docket, it's certainly not the car wreck a lot of people
are expecting. Patient and extremely detailed, this look at the Boulder, Colo., tabloid magnet
gets high marks for steering clear of sweeps sensationalism. JonBenet Ramsey, her creepy
parents and a botched investigation could have added up to a whole lotta trash, but the
waste bin has been sidestepped.
That loaded compliment is aimed at director Lawrence Schiller, who also told Gary Gilmore's
story in 1982. "The Executioner's Song" remains one of network TV's most affecting
made-fors, and the vet helmer (on whose book this mini is based) again manages hot-button
themes with a thorough approach.
And though the gruesome death of one child can't compare with the social significance
ignited by Gilmore's sins, there is enough judicial posturing and copspeak to grab hardcore
criminologists and mainstream JonBenet-philes. You don't need to be a Geraldo junkie to
comprehend the Eye web's effort here.
A quick recap: On Dec. 26, 1996, JonBenet's (Dyanne Iandoli) cold corpse was found in her
basement. In the following months, several detectives tainted the crime scene with bad
procedure, and as pillars of the community, John and Patsy Ramsey (Ronny Cox, Marg
Helgenberger) received special treatment.
First part establishes most of the players and also generates various theories. The biggest
honchos are detective division chief John Eller (Murphy Guyer) and officer Larry Mason (John
Heard), two authorities who are obviously buried underneath the publicity. Their mishandling
of an overwhelmed workforce, potential suspects and much of the minutiae begets some bad
press: the city may be pretty, but a murder is too much too handle.
As the media descend, others are hired to lend expertise. Narcotics agent Steve Thomas
(Scott Cohen) believes strongly in mom Patsy's responsibility. D.A. Alex Hunter (Ken Howard)
insists there isn't much substance, and that rift leads to some bravado that encumbers the
inquiry. Each side begins to withhold evidence, and, in the process, time passes without a
resolution.
Hunter's solution is Lou Smit (Kris Kristofferson), a legendary homicide pro who is employed to
rustle up the truth.
Second night starts off with the famous broadcast interview orchestrated by the Ramseys.
Inconsistencies are uncovered, but, without forensics and witnesses, no one is willing to
make an arrest. Police chief Tom Koby (Dennis Boutsikaris) eventually fires Eller, a new boss
steps in and the whole team is hounded by Jeff Shapiro (Sean Whalen), a tabloid reporter in
dire need of sensitivity training.
John and Patsy, now presumed guilty by much of the country, launch a campaign to find the
perp. A Grand Jury is assembled, but, after Smit's persuasive argument in support of mom
and dad, Hunter announces that no charges will be filed, and that's the way it currently
stands.
"Perfect Murder's" biggest appeal is that there still isn't a conclusion. Since the strangulation
of the 6-year-old beauty pageant champ, there have been plenty of theories and even more
conjecture, but four years' worth of work never produced a finale. That definitely makes
things a lot juicier, and Schiller knows that. His even-handed method to a very politicized
and wide-open crime is a testament to his big-picture abilities and to the tone set by the
script from Tom Topor. Their dedication to the facts -- and not just ratings -- is much
appreciated.
There are some weak links, especially when it comes to Patsy's behavior. Helgenberger is a
good sport, doing her best to get inside the mind of a flighty woman, but her portrayal often
comes off as cartoonish and far-fetched. More on the mark is Cox, who creates an aloof
millionaire who can't cope with a sudden loss of control.
But it's the fringe thesps who deserve much of the credit. All of the pros come off as either
appropriately macho or nervous, and everyone is unquestionably passionate. Nobody seems
embarrassed to be associated with this, and that pride helps this mini.
For all its circumspection, few characters come out a winner in "Perfect Murder." The cops
are careless, the attorneys are confused and the town is shaken. Credit Schiller, however,
for somehow making everybody credible and for crafting a search that leaves no stone
unturned.
Archival footage of real-life talkshows and local news footage is a nifty addition to an overall
solid production.
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