The Preppie Murder

The Preppie Murder is an American television film directed by John Herzfeld, written by Herzfeld and Irv Roud, and starring William Baldwin as Robert Chambers and Lara Flynn Boyle as Jennifer Levin. The film aired on ABC in 1989. It was based on the events of a murder committed by Robert Chambers, nicknamed the "Preppie Killer". The film co-stars Danny Aiello, Joanna Kerns, and William Devane.

The Preppie Murder
UK DVD cover
GenreCrime
Drama
Written byJohn Herzfeld
Irv Roud
Story byIrv Roud
Directed byJohn Herzfeld
StarringDanny Aiello
William Baldwin
Lara Flynn Boyle
Theme music composerChris Isaak
Simon Rogers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerJack Grossbart
ProducersSydell Albert
Paul Pompian
Production locationsLos Angeles
New York City
CinematographySteven Shaw
EditorJanet Bartels-Vandagriff
Running time100 minutes
Production companyJack Grossbart Productions
Release
Original networkABC
Original release
  • September 24, 1989 (1989-09-24)

Plot

The film reenacts Robert Chambers' murder of Jennifer Levin. Robert Chambers, a man who attended prep schools on a scholarship, kills Jennifer Levin, who herself was of a privileged background after they leave a trendy Manhattan bar together. When Detective Mike Sheehan arrests him, Chambers claims that he killed her in self-defense after rough sex got out of hand. In the ensuing trial, Chambers' attorney, Jack Litman, attacks Levin's personal history. Chambers eventually pleads guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.

Cast

Production

The film was shot mostly in Los Angeles, but some exterior shots took place in New York City. Mike Sheehan, who investigated the case, served as a consultant. Jennifer Levin's parents declined involvement; her father called it "exploitative". Linda Fairstein and Jack Litman also declined involvement.[1] Director John Herzfeld wanted to tell Jennifer Levin's story and "clear a little of the mud off her".[2]

Release

The Preppie Murder aired September 24, 1989, on ABC.[2] It was released on home video in November 1993.[3]

Reception

Howard Rosenberg of the Los Angeles Times called it "vexing, powerful and heartbreaking—yet strangely enigmatic".[2] John Leonard of New York called it "pointless" and compared it negatively to Linda Wolfe's book, Wasted: The Preppie Murder.[4] John J. O'Connor of The New York Times wrote that the film's denunciation of the press as exploitative was ironic, as it "merely warms up the old headlines it pretends to abhor."[5]

References
  1. Kunen, James S. (September 25, 1989). "Art Imitates Death in The Preppie Murder". People. Vol. 32, no. 13. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  2. Rosenberg, Howard (September 23, 1989). "'Preppie Murder' Drama Pleads Case for Victims". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  3. Cornell, Christopher (November 18, 1993). "Reforming In Seattle But 'Lost In Yonkers'". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  4. Leonard, John (September 25, 1989). "Sex, Lies, and Videotape". New York. 22 (38): 126. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  5. O'Connor, John J. (September 22, 1989). "TV Weekend; Death in Central Park, Lives of 80's Youth". The New York Times. Retrieved February 24, 2014.

Further reading
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