There is a large family gathering of the Whitman clan as Ted Whitman is about to tie the knot with Stephanie Peters. But unbeknownst to Ted, Stephanie is a psychopathic killer in search of the perfect man, the perfect husband, and the perfect wedding. The gullible Ted confuses her for the perfect bride.
For the big wedding, Ted's sister Laura has arrived after many years apart from the family. As a child, Laura was bicycle riding with her sister Catherine when Laura swerved. To avoid running into her sister, Catherine overcompensated and toppled off a cliff to her death. Laura still hasn't completely recovered from the trauma. But as part of the guilt that defines Laura, her sensitive nature makes her the perfect character to come to Ted's rescue by unmasking the charlatan.
There is good tension in the character relationships and solid performances, especially from the two actresses playing Stephanie and Laura. The only drawback to the film is the body count that builds up from the senseless violent actions of Stephanie. As a former nurse, she always seems to have a hypodermic needle handy in order to administer deaths that appear to be heart attacks. That was how she killed her fiancé in Denver, and the same method is used on the nice caterer, Hazel Moore, and gentle Reverend Wells. After being struck by a car, the eyewitness Darlene Harris is put out of her misery when Stephanie pays a trip to the hospital to pull the plug.
It is frustrating to watch the other family members remain in a fog despite the frequent outbursts and strange behavior of Stephanie. It is especially the gullible Ted who refuses to see the writing on the wall. At his bachelor party, Ted outrageously flirts with his ex-girlfriend Deirdre, unaware that Stephanie is spying on him. The bachelor party is appropriately called "Whitman's Last Stand." That may be literally true as Stephanie goes ballistic.
The character with the greatest depth and sensitivity was Laura. Her intuitive side was always on display, and she was a study in contrasts with Stephanie. As a child, Stephanie discovered her mother's life running out in the bathroom, slashing heer wrists after her father died. Laura too is haunted by the death of her sister. But Laura has translated the tragedy into a positive energy used in the effort to demonstrate the love she has for her brother. She is the character truly committed to taking a stand.
For the big wedding, Ted's sister Laura has arrived after many years apart from the family. As a child, Laura was bicycle riding with her sister Catherine when Laura swerved. To avoid running into her sister, Catherine overcompensated and toppled off a cliff to her death. Laura still hasn't completely recovered from the trauma. But as part of the guilt that defines Laura, her sensitive nature makes her the perfect character to come to Ted's rescue by unmasking the charlatan.
There is good tension in the character relationships and solid performances, especially from the two actresses playing Stephanie and Laura. The only drawback to the film is the body count that builds up from the senseless violent actions of Stephanie. As a former nurse, she always seems to have a hypodermic needle handy in order to administer deaths that appear to be heart attacks. That was how she killed her fiancé in Denver, and the same method is used on the nice caterer, Hazel Moore, and gentle Reverend Wells. After being struck by a car, the eyewitness Darlene Harris is put out of her misery when Stephanie pays a trip to the hospital to pull the plug.
It is frustrating to watch the other family members remain in a fog despite the frequent outbursts and strange behavior of Stephanie. It is especially the gullible Ted who refuses to see the writing on the wall. At his bachelor party, Ted outrageously flirts with his ex-girlfriend Deirdre, unaware that Stephanie is spying on him. The bachelor party is appropriately called "Whitman's Last Stand." That may be literally true as Stephanie goes ballistic.
The character with the greatest depth and sensitivity was Laura. Her intuitive side was always on display, and she was a study in contrasts with Stephanie. As a child, Stephanie discovered her mother's life running out in the bathroom, slashing heer wrists after her father died. Laura too is haunted by the death of her sister. But Laura has translated the tragedy into a positive energy used in the effort to demonstrate the love she has for her brother. She is the character truly committed to taking a stand.