he is consistently underrated. While this film is a bit choppy, and relevant themes within Smith's family are left unexplored; Arkin gives a believable, chilling and intriguing performance.
He portrays John David Smith- the true story of an engineer who also happens to be a sociopath. We see him relocate to New Jersey, with his new wife, who is then disposed of. Her daughter and sister, portrayed by Kelli Williams and Amy Madigan, respectively, attempt to solve the mystery of John Smith. What happened and why? The writer may have included more history, especially regarding Smith's mother, the apparent dysfunctional family in Indiana, and some of Smith's other encounters with women.
The last TV movie which had a good male performer in this type of role was Gary Cole, as Capt. Jeffrey MacDonald. (Another case of a sociopath responsible for his family's violent murder.) While this film was not a stand-out; Adam Arkin was excellent, and should be in more leading male roles (I confess I have liked him since Chicago Hope, as Dr. Aaron Shutt).
At any rate, you will be interested in this story. Perhaps the director and writer can team up with Arkin once again, in a similar project. It is interesting to see older, intelligent and charismatic actors playing roles other than doctors, attorneys or principals.
