Tom Cavanaugh in "The Capture of the Green River Killer"
courtesy of Lifetime Movie Network
“The Capture of the Green River Killer” (Lifetime Movie Network)

Tom Cavanaugh plays the police detective who hunted down the Green River Killer in the new Lifetime Movie Network feature “The Capture of the Green River Killer.” It is a studied look at the police procedures that go into such a massive manhunt. As such it is interesting, but not very entertaining.

Between the years 1982 and 1988 there were numerous women killed in the Seattle area. There bodies were discovered in an area near the Green River. Dave Reichert (Cavanaugh) was the detective assigned to the case. Whenever Dave thought he was getting close to catching the killer some technicality would arise and there would not be enough allowable, supportive evidence. Still Dave would determinedly struggle on.

The women who were missing and eventually determined to be murdered were the prostitutes of that area. It was commendable that Dave and his team never let their profession interfere with their hunt for the killer so they could bring him to justice.

One of the women who are key to the story is Helen Ramus (Amy Davidson). Helen, or “Hel” as she is called, lives in the area and is not happy with her life. Her mother (Sharon Lawrence) brings home several boyfriends and some of them are too friendly with Hel. Eventually her path crosses the Green River Killer’s.

Cavanaugh is not a dynamic leading man. He captures the determination of this character but never adds any charisma to the role. His plodding way of portraying Dave makes the whole mini-series appear to be slow and plodding. Davidson and Lawrence’s characters are much more interesting but they are not the focal point of the show.

The show is too drawn out and having it on two consecutive nights makes for some padding of the plot and repetition of facts. It could easily have been compressed into one two hour movie.

If you are interested in mysteries and the background story involved then “The Capture of the Green River Killer” is perfect for you. For those who want suspense and excitement, well that is not what this movie aims for in any way.

“The Capture of the Green River Killer” premieres on Lifetime Movie Network on Sunday, March 30 at 8PM. The second installment follows on Monday, March 31 at 8PM.
 

 

 

 

 

©2008 Jackie K. Cooper

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