The Amy Fisher Story poster

The Amy Fisher Story

1993-01-03
N/A
5.148 (IMDB)
TV MovieCrimeDramaThriller
en
Released
Languages:
  • English

Description:

The true story of the Long Island teen who shoots and wounds the wife of a man she called her lover.

Reviews:

Wuchak (5/10)

The Fisher / Buttafuoco story with winsome Drew Barrymore as Amy

Based on the infamous true story that caused media hysteria in the 90s, a 16 years-old girl (Barrymore) from Long Island foolishly enters into a relationship with a 35 years-old married man, Joey Buttafuoco (Tony Denison), just a few miles from Jones Beach. A year later she confronts his wife at her doorstep (Laurie Paton), shooting her in the side of the head.

“The Amy Fisher Story” was released by ABC on January 3, 1993, just 7.5 months after the shooting. The CBS version was simultaneously aired while the NBC rendition beat both by six days, airing at the end of 1992. Let’s compare the three:

The NBC version, “Amy Fisher: My Story,” aka “Lethal Lolita,” sticks to the bare facts with Amy narrating her experience from a jail cell. While it starts off too by-the-numbers, it becomes compelling in the second half with an outstanding depiction of the front door confrontation between Amy and Mary Jo. It features actors who most resemble their real-life counterparts. Moreover, arrogant Joey’s reasoning to justify his unfaithful actions are superbly presented.

The CBS interpretation, “Casualties of Love: The Long Island Lolita Story,” features Alyssa Milano in the role of Amy, but supports the Buttafuoco fiction that Joey never had sex with her, which he later admitted was false in light of the glaring evidence (e.g. motel receipts). As such, “Casualties of Love” depicts Joe as an irresistible stud who’s curiously stalked by an attractive girl that imagined their relationship, resulting in the shooting of Mary Jo.

This version by ABC has the star power of Drew Barrymore in the title role, only 17 years-old during filming. It’s based on the chronicling of New York Post writer Amy Pagnozzi (Harley Jane Kozak).

Like “Amy Fisher: My Story,” aka “Lethal Lolita,” I didn’t get the feeling that this version was unbalanced. Fisher’s flaws and foolishness are plainly revealed. A semi-abusive relationship with her father and sexual abuse by an unnamed relative are hinted at as reasons for why she made such bad decisions.

No matter how you slice it, the near fatal shooting that scarred Mary Jo for life, split up two marriages and shattered two families by putting them through hell on earth can be traced to egotistical Joey’s unwise seduction of an underaged girl and ongoing sexual relationship.

This version starts as a compelling coming-age-drama due to Drew’s charisma & beauty and reveals more details about Amy’s situation before meeting Joey. Unfortunately, it bogs down into mechanical storytelling by the second half with a way less effective depiction of the critical confrontation between Amy and Mary jo compared to “Amy Fisher: My Story,” aka “Lethal Lolita.” The latter movie is the exact opposite: It starts weak but ends strong.

If you’re interested in the story and don’t mind television productions, it's best to view both versions since each have their strengths & weaknesses. Disregard the more fictional version with Alyssa Milano unless, of course, you’re an uber-fan of Ms. Milano.

The film runs 1 hours, 36 minutes, and was shot in Vancouver, British Columbia.

GRADE: C+

2023-05-01

Where to Watch:

No watch providers found for the US region.

Similar Movies:

Skal vi danse først?

Skal vi danse først? 8

Drama

1979-12-21

Lost in Translation

Lost in Translation 7.386

Drama, Romance

2003-09-18

The Old Maid

The Old Maid 7.1

Drama

1939-08-16

The Lover

The Lover 7

Drama, Romance

1992-01-22

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie 6.889

Drama

1969-02-24

The Belly of an Architect

The Belly of an Architect 6.8

Drama

1987-09-23

Rita, Sue and Bob Too

Rita, Sue and Bob Too 6.3

Comedy, Drama

1987-05-20

Red Hot Tires

Red Hot Tires 5.8

Drama, Crime

1935-02-02

Bait

Bait 5.5

Thriller, Drama

1954-02-24

Moon Child

Moon Child 5.5

Horror, Action

2003-04-19

The Love of Captain Brando

The Love of Captain Brando 5.5

Drama, Romance

1974-11-28

Diabolique

Diabolique 5.5

Mystery, Thriller

1996-03-22

Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy 5.4

Thriller, Drama

1992-05-08

Thy Neighbor's Wife

Thy Neighbor's Wife 5.2

Drama, Crime

1953-09-23

Hit and Run

Hit and Run 5.1

Drama, Crime

1957-03-15

36 Fillette

36 Fillette 5

Drama, Romance

1988-03-03

Little Girl in Blue Velvet

Little Girl in Blue Velvet 4.5

Drama, Romance

1978-08-23

Badge of Honor

Badge of Honor 4.4

Drama, Romance

1934-04-01

Fair Game

Fair Game 4.333

Drama, TV Movie

1994-06-11