I sometimes don't understand what viewers expect to see when the producers release a made for TV true crime film. Sherri Papini disappeared on November 2, 2016, when her husband stated she went out jogging and he found some of her belongings about a mile from her home in Redding, California. Mrs. Papini re-appeared on American Thanksgiving Day looking haggard after being dumped on the side of the road close to her home at which time she declared that she was kidnapped by two Mexican women and treated worse than a dog would be.
This story captured the hearts of millions of Americans and even broader worldwide as her story continued to spread. No doubt, the story of a white, blonde mother of two young children being kidnapped was sensationalized by the vast media coverage and Mrs. Sherri Papini was pressured into telling and re-telling her story to the authorities as well as to the press. Unbeknownst to Mrs. Papini's husband Keith, who was visibly distraught when his wife went missing and even more so with finding out first-hand what supposedly outright torture she was subjected to, he (Keith Papini) wanted to find his wife's abductors and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.
It may have taken the authorities a few years to get to the bottom of the true story and actual events but not until both the government and many caring people doled out some cold hard cash to the Papini family in their (supposedly) time of need did the truth finally come to the surface. Who wouldn't sympathize with Sherri Papini's awful plight of being kidnapped and tortured?
As for those viewers who were expecting first rate actors to play the key roles, I just have to remind them that this was a low budget made for TV film which probably took less than four (4) months from start to finish to being released on the small screen. In March 2022, it was reported that DNA found on Sherri Papini's clothing matched that of an ex-boyfriend, James Reyes, who confirmed that Papini stayed with him at his residence in Southern California during the time she was allegedly kidnapped. In September 2022, she was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined $300,000.
I thought the producers, directors and all the actors did an admirable job of representing both the series of events and Ms. Papini's subsequent prosecution. If there is any sympathy to be expected it is for her husband Keith, and his two young children whose lives have been tarnished forever because of some critical indiscretions and self-absorbed need for false fame of Sherri Papini.
I give this made for TV film a credible 6 out of 10 IMDb rating.
This story captured the hearts of millions of Americans and even broader worldwide as her story continued to spread. No doubt, the story of a white, blonde mother of two young children being kidnapped was sensationalized by the vast media coverage and Mrs. Sherri Papini was pressured into telling and re-telling her story to the authorities as well as to the press. Unbeknownst to Mrs. Papini's husband Keith, who was visibly distraught when his wife went missing and even more so with finding out first-hand what supposedly outright torture she was subjected to, he (Keith Papini) wanted to find his wife's abductors and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.
It may have taken the authorities a few years to get to the bottom of the true story and actual events but not until both the government and many caring people doled out some cold hard cash to the Papini family in their (supposedly) time of need did the truth finally come to the surface. Who wouldn't sympathize with Sherri Papini's awful plight of being kidnapped and tortured?
As for those viewers who were expecting first rate actors to play the key roles, I just have to remind them that this was a low budget made for TV film which probably took less than four (4) months from start to finish to being released on the small screen. In March 2022, it was reported that DNA found on Sherri Papini's clothing matched that of an ex-boyfriend, James Reyes, who confirmed that Papini stayed with him at his residence in Southern California during the time she was allegedly kidnapped. In September 2022, she was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined $300,000.
I thought the producers, directors and all the actors did an admirable job of representing both the series of events and Ms. Papini's subsequent prosecution. If there is any sympathy to be expected it is for her husband Keith, and his two young children whose lives have been tarnished forever because of some critical indiscretions and self-absorbed need for false fame of Sherri Papini.
I give this made for TV film a credible 6 out of 10 IMDb rating.