Right to Kill?
Right to Kill?

Movie spotlight

Right to Kill?

1985
Movie
100 min
English

Based on true story of teens Richard and Deborah Jahnke charged in Wyoming for the killing of their abusive father.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: John Llewellyn MoxeyGenres: Drama, Crime

Plot Summary

A divorced woman fights for custody of her teenage son who has been diagnosed with a serious psychological disorder. As her ex-husband attempts to gain control of their son's affairs, she must confront the complexities of mental health treatment and the legal system. The situation escalates as she suspects her son may be a danger to himself or others.

Critical Reception

Right to Kill? received a mixed reception upon its release, with praise often directed at Lee Grant's performance. However, the film was also criticized for its sometimes melodramatic portrayal of mental illness and its handling of sensitive subject matter. It is often categorized as a made-for-television film that aimed to tackle difficult themes.

What Reviewers Say

  • Lee Grant delivers a powerful performance as a mother fighting for her troubled son.

  • The film attempts to explore complex issues of mental health and parental rights with mixed success.

  • Some found the drama compelling, while others felt it was overly sentimental.

Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews for 'Right to Kill?' is not readily available, making it difficult to summarize audience sentiment on this platform.

Fun Fact

The film was based on a true story, though specific details of the real-life case that inspired it are not widely publicized.

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