Despite a legal appeal, a movie dramatization of the case of accused murderer Chris Porco will air on Lifetime Saturday, March 23 at 8 p.m. There had been an effort on Porco's behalf to have Lifetime enjoined from airing the movie and this was upheld by a judge, but on appeal it was overturned.
Romeo Killer: The Chris Porco Story is a typical Lifetime movie as it is based on a true story, has some high drama involved, and keeps the audience guessing till the very end. In the film Peter Porco (Lochlyn Munro) is killed and his wife Joan (Lolita Davidovich) severely wounded when they are attacked in their home as they sleep. The lead detective, Joe Sullivan (Eric McCormack), immediately suspects the Porco's son Chris (Matt Barr).
Although Sullivan is convinced of Chris' guilt, the town and members of his family stand beside him. They do not think it is possible that he could commit such a heinous crime. In time Sullivan is the one who is on the receiving end of the town's scorn. Even his daughter Melanie (Sarah Desjardins) thinks her father is prejudiced against Chris.
Mc Cormack is the best known member of the cast and he is very good in the role of the detective, but the movie is stolen by the performance of Barr. He makes Chris likeable even when he admits to doing wrong things. Plus you can see why the women fall for him and support his innocence even when he is cheating on them. It takes a smooth operator to pull something like this off and Barr makes Chris Porco one smooth operator.
However, even as Barr is stealing scene after scene, Davidovich is quietly painting a portrait of a woman who will never give up on her son. She also captures the actions of a character who has been brutally attacked and lived to see another day but is scarred physically and emotionally. It is painful to watch her performance at times as it is so real.
While watching the movie, the audience is never sure of what the outcome will be. At times it seems that everything is going against Chris but at others it seems there is not nearly enough evidence to convict him. It is a seesaw case and the verdict is not definite until it is rendered.
Lifetime was determined to air this film and after watching it, you will know why. It does pack a powerful dramatic punch. So tune in on March 23 at 8 p.m. to see Romeo Killer: The Chris Porco Story, the movie the legal system almost didn't allow to be aired.