Elizabeth Mitchell as Linda Drane Burdick in 'Prosecuting Casey Anthony.' Photo credit: Lifetime
I’ve heard from many readers about “Prosecuting Casey Anthony,” which premieres at 8 p.m. Saturday on Lifetime.
A few points to keep in mind:
1. It’s a docudrama, not an editorial. The filmmakers are telling a story, not making a commentary about the case’s outcome. They tell the story in a straightforward, fast-moving style. They go a low-key route, which is smart, because people feel so passionate about the case.
2. The movie fills a two-hour time slot, but the actual running time is 90 minutes. So a lot of material, from 2008 to 2012, has been crammed into those 90 minutes. You may quibble with what was left out. I was surprised that Dr. Jan Garavaglia’s testimony isn’t depicted. Yet the film is a clear retelling of the case.
3. The movie does not glorify Casey Anthony or her family. Casey is a minor figure, because the focus is on the trial. Though the film is based on Jeff Ashton’s book, the film strives for balance in depicting the defense. See if you think the movie achieves it.
4. Ashton has joked that he got an upgrade with the casting of Rob Lowe. “Prosecuting Casey Anthony” has enlisted some attractive performers to play people from the trial. You may find that distracting, but the film isn’t a documentary, either.
Please tell me what you think after you watch.