Revenge is a Dish Best Served in a Maze

Buried Alive

1990 Made-for-TV

Shortly before Jennifer Jason Leigh became a famous Hollyweird actress, she was cast in this small screen story about a man who was, uhhh, take a guess. Leigh plays the unhappy wife of a small town contractor. She had met her husband Clint (played by Tim Matheson) when he lived in the big exciting New York City. Now that they're out in the sticks, she hates it and longs to be back in the city. One thing leads to another and Clint's dead. What follows is a yawning mix of coverup, paranoia and revenge. Hoyt Axton does a good job as local Sheriff but his role is too small and not that that important. William Atherton plays the scheming doctor. Unfortunately for the viewer, Atherton isn't an actor who can be taken seriously, especially in a role like this.

Frank Darabont, who was later a Best Writing Oscar nominee for the films Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile directs this TV movie... but it looks like he should have written also. The movie works but it's too slow and not written so well.