Rob Lowe as Jeff Ashton and Elizabeth Mitchell as Linda Drane Burdick in 'Prosecuting Casey Anthony.' Photo credit: Lifetime
“Prosecuting Casey Anthony” won’t premiere until Jan. 19 on Lifetime. But I’ve just seen it and wanted to supply an early preview.
The movie doesn’t glorify Anthony (played by Virginia Welch), who has a minor role in a script focused on the prosecution team. Anthony’s big moments will be familiar to anyone who followed the case: Her jailhouse visits with her parents and her video diary, which became public in January.
The filmmakers fit a story that lasted four years into 90 minutes, so the results are fast-moving, condensed and simplified. You may quibble with casting and dialogue, yet I think you’ll learn something from the movie. In the setup, prosecutor Jeff Ashton (Rob Lowe) gives a TV interview about the case, and the movie flashes back to events.
Though the script is based on Ashton’s book, “Imperfect Justice,” the movie is not always flattering to him and his colleagues. In this depiction, prosecutors underestimated defense attorney Jose Baez (Oscar Nunez) and overestimated the jury. The prosecution team is too sure of itself. Ashton says the case is rock solid, because forensics and common sense say Anthony is guilty. But, of course, Anthony was acquitted of murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee. The movie is, ultimately, the story of the prosecution’s defeat.
The movie’s most melodramatic moments belong to HLN’s Nancy Grace and Jane Velez-Mitchell, who are seen hyperventilating about the case on their programs. “Prosecuting Casey Anthony” is pretty subdued, even mournful, when contrasted with those clips.