The Amy Fisher Story

Unrated

1/3/19931h 36m

TV Release (US)

Overview:

The true story of the Long Island teen who shoots and wounds the wife of a man she called her lover.

Director:

Andy Tennant

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$0.00

Revenue:

$0.00

Key words:

lolita
romantic rivalry
older man younger woman relationship

Cast

Drew Barrymore

~ as ~

Amy Fisher

Tony Denison

~ as ~

Joey Buttafuoco

Harley Jane Kozak

~ as ~

Amy Pagnozzi

Tom Mason

~ as ~

Eric Naiburg

Laurie Paton

~ as ~

Mary Jo Buttafuoco

Ken Pogue

~ as ~

Elliot Fisher

Linda Darlow

~ as ~

Roseann Fisher

Gabe Khouth

~ as ~

Tim Russo

Garry Davey

~ as ~

Detective

Dwight McFee

~ as ~

Daniel Severin

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

Wuchak
Written 2 year(s) ago
5
The Fisher / Buttafuoco story with winsome Drew Barrymore as Amy

Based on the infamous true story that caused media hysteria in the 90s, a 16 years-old girl (Barrymore) from Long Island foolishly enters into a relationship with a 35 years-old married man, Joey Buttafuoco (Tony Denison), just a few miles from Jones Beach. A year later she confronts his wife at her doorstep (Laurie Paton), shooting her in the side of the head.

“The Amy Fisher Story” was released by ABC on January 3, 1993, just 7.5 months after the shooting. The CBS version was simultaneously aired while the NBC rendition beat both by six days, airing at the end of 1992. Let’s compare the three:

The NBC version, “Amy Fisher: My Story,” aka “Lethal Lolita,” sticks to the bare facts with Amy narrating her experience from a jail cell. While it starts off too by-the-numbers, it becomes compelling in the second half with an outstanding depiction of the front door confrontation between Amy and Mary Jo. It features actors who most resemble their real-life counterparts. Moreover, arrogant Joey’s reasoning to justify his unfaithful actions are superbly presented.

The CBS interpretation, “Casualties of Love: The Long Island Lolita Story,” features Alyssa Milano in the role of Amy, but supports the Buttafuoco fiction that Joey never had sex with her, which he later admitted was false in light of the glaring evidence (e.g. motel receipts). As such, “Casualties of Love” depicts Joe as an irresistible stud who’s curiously stalked by an attractive girl that imagined their relationship, resulting in the shooting of Mary Jo.

This version by ABC has the star power of Drew Barrymore in the title role, only 17 years-old during filming. It’s based on the chronicling of New York Post writer Amy Pagnozzi (Harley Jane Kozak).

Like “Amy Fisher: My Story,” aka “Lethal Lolita,” I didn’t get the feeling that this version was unbalanced. Fisher’s flaws and foolishness are plainly revealed. A semi-abusive relationship with her father and sexual abuse by an unnamed relative are hinted at as reasons for why she made such bad decisions.

No matter how you slice it, the near fatal shooting that scarred Mary Jo for life, split up two marriages and shattered two families by putting them through hell on earth can be traced to egotistical Joey’s unwise seduction of an underaged girl and ongoing sexual relationship.

This version starts as a compelling coming-age-drama due to Drew’s charisma & beauty and reveals more details about Amy’s situation before meeting Joey. Unfortunately, it bogs down into mechanical storytelling by the second half with a way less effective depiction of the critical confrontation between Amy and Mary jo compared to “Amy Fisher: My Story,” aka “Lethal Lolita.” The latter movie is the exact opposite: It starts weak but ends strong.

If you’re interested in the story and don’t mind television productions, it's best to view both versions since each have their strengths & weaknesses. Disregard the more fictional version with Alyssa Milano unless, of course, you’re an uber-fan of Ms. Milano.

The film runs 1 hours, 36 minutes, and was shot in Vancouver, British Columbia.

GRADE: C+