One of three network TV adaptations of the notorious true-crime story, 'The Amy Fisher Story' shows what happens as the title character seals her fate. Amy, dubbed the "Long Island Lolita" by the press, was a rebellious, surly teenager who, upon meeting the family mechanic, Joey Buttafuoco (Anthony John Denison, 'Crime Story'), soon began a sexual affair with him. His attitude towards her cools, but she remains obsessed with him, to the point where she attempts to get his wife Mary Jo (Laurie Paton, 'The Commish') out of the way by shooting her in the head.
The news media comes in for a real drubbing as this sort of sensationalizing of true-crime stories became especially prevalent in the 1990s. This was an era where criminals could sell their stories to interested parties, and attempt to profit from what they'd done. To be sure, Amy as portrayed here by Drew Barrymore, does come off as a patently unlikable character: a spoiled brat who stops at nothing to get what she wants, and shows no genuine remorse for the events that transpire. Joey comes off as pretty sleazy himself, as this version suggests that *he* pushed her into prostitution as a means of coming up with the funds to pay for repairs after her repeated car accidents.
All in all, this is passably engrossing, sordid stuff that tries to relate events from a few perspectives, and not paint *all* of the characters in purely black & white terms. It holds a kind of "car wreck" variety of fascination as we witness human weakness (Amy's parents are portrayed as highly ineffective) and selfishness at its worst. Not that the film is all that effective; the script can be muddled. But this is still worth seeing for some good performances, especially from a very poised and confident Drew.
Co-starring Harley Jane Kozak ("Arachnophobia") as a reporter, Ken Pogue ("The 6th Day") and Linda Darlow ("The Accused") as Amy's parents, and Tom Mason ("F/X 2") as Amy's attorney. Directed by Andy Tennant, who five years later directed Drew in the feature film "EverAfter".
Six out of 10.
