Amy Fisher: My Story (1992)

**_The Fisher / Buttafuoco story, the basic facts_**

Based on the infamous true story that caused media hysteria in the 90s, a 16 year-old girl (Noelle Parker) from Long Island foolishly enters into a relationship with a 35 year-old married man, Joey Buttafuoco (Ed Marinaro), just a few miles from Jones Beach. A year later she confronts the wife, Mary Jo (Kathleen Laskey), at her doorstep, shooting her in the side of the head.

"Amy Fisher: My Story,” aka “Lethal Lolita,” was released by NBC on December, 28, 1992, just seven months after the shooting. Six days later CBS and ABC aired their versions in early January. After viewing this version, I watched the A&E documentary, which revealed that it sticks to the bare facts and is therefore the most realistic of the three with Amy narrating her experience from a jail cell.

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

ABC’s entry, “The Amy Fisher Story,” has the star power of Drew Barrymore in the title role, only 17 during filming. This version was based on the chronicling of New York Post writer Amy Pagnozzi.

While “Amy Fisher: My Story,” aka “Lethal Lolita,” tells the story from Amy’s perspective, I didn’t get the feeling that it was unbalanced. Fisher’s flaws and foolishness are plainly revealed, although 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 arrogant Joey’s unwise seduction of an underaged girl and ongoing sexual relationship.

While the first half is too by-the-numbers, the second half is compelling enough with an outstanding depiction of the doorstep confrontation. This version also has the actors who most resemble their real-life counterparts. Moreover, Joey’s reasoning to justify his unfaithful actions are superbly presented.

The one with Drew Barrymore, by contrast, is the exact opposite: It starts as a compelling coming-age-drama since it stars Drew and reveals more details about Amy before meeting Joey. Yet, by the second half, it bogs down into mechanical storytelling with a way less effective depiction of the critical confrontation between Amy and Mary jo.

The film runs 1 hours, 33 minutes, and was shot in Toronto.

GRADE: B-