Citizen Jane is a Hallmark Channel original movie based on a true story of brutal murder, unbelievably bold theft, and one courageous little lady's search for justice at all odds. Ally Sheedy (of Brat Pack films, as well as War Games and Short Circuit, two of my all-time favorite '80s movies) beautifully plays Jane Alexander.
Jane has it all. She has a wonderful family, she's been successful in her personal and financial life. As if that weren't enough, she also appears to have landed a wonderfully deep and lasting romance with her boyfriend, Tom O'Donnell played by Sean Patrick Flanery (The Dead Zone TV show, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, The Boondock Saints).
Tom O'Donnell had brought hope, love, and calm back to Jane's chaotic life after the death of her first husband. Tom had been a family friend for 25 years. Jane had no reason to doubt Tom's sincerity on any level. He had even worked with Jane's husband before his death. There was nothing to raise an alarm, or even give her pause about him, or their future together. Life was good.
Then one day, Jane's life is crushed as she receives a call with the horrible news that her beloved aunt, the woman who had raised her, had been brutally murdered in her own home. Who would do such a thing? It seemed as though it must be someone her aunt knew, but no one seemed to be able to figure it out. It was turning out to be a real "cold case," and that the killer would go free.
Initially, what little circumstantial evidence they had appeared to be pointing to Jane, which was distressing to her to say the least. But over time, to Jane's astonishment, the evidence began to point in another direction; to the last person she would have ever believed capable of such an act of violence: the man she loved, the man who loved her — Tom.
Article comments
1 - Rogene Martin
Very impressed with both the story and the acting. Allie S. and Meatload A. provided strong, believable characterizations. Well pleased with film!
2 - Fran
Thanks for taking the time to comment. Much appreciated.
As you can tell from my review, I also was well pleased with the film!
3 - April
This sounds like such a great movie!!! I am going to have to catch it the next time it comes around or is on DVD. Excellent review, Fran!!
4 - Fran
Thanks April! The real life story that continues behind the scenes at Citizens Against Homicide is even more amazing!
Part of the reason this story resonated so much with me is that one of our nephews was shot and killed on a sidewalk on the side of a street in a city here in Virgina. Thankfully that man is behind bars with multiple life sentences staring him down, but after our family had lived through this horrible life changing thing -- and after I saw this movie and found out about Citizens Against Homicide (CAH) -- I contacted CAH to tell them how much I appreciated the story of Jane Alexander and what they are doing to help folks. I also told them about our nephew (he was a twin and his twin brother was devastated in a way none of us can really understand), and also let them know about the review here on Blogcritics.
I actually received a personal note back from Jan Miller, the other co-founder of CAH. She even offered that if we wanted to, they could work with our family to get a profile put together of our nephew over at CAH so they can help us, particularly if laws change here in Virginia like they did in California (regarding parole and life sentences.