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  • Undue Influence (1996)
  • Unrated
    TV Movie | 240 min | Drama
Undue Influence (1996)
Unrated
TV Movie | 240 min | Drama

Lawyer Paul Madriani becomes embroiled in his most baffling case at a most difficult time. His wife Nikki has died of cancer, and he's caring for his daughter Sarah while negotiating a custody settlement between his sister-in-law Laurel ...See moreLawyer Paul Madriani becomes embroiled in his most baffling case at a most difficult time. His wife Nikki has died of cancer, and he's caring for his daughter Sarah while negotiating a custody settlement between his sister-in-law Laurel and her ex-husband, Senator Jack Vega, over 17-year-old Danny. When Vega's new wife Melanie is found murdered, suspicion points to Laurel who was filmed by a security camera arguing with her at her home just hours before the shooting. At the crime scene, Paul meets a long-time friend, U.S. Attorney Dana Colby, and grudge-bearing detective Lama, who claims an airtight case against Laurel. Paul tries unsuccessfully to arrange a plea bargain. Investigating, he finds the Vegas' neighbors, George and Kathy Merlow, have disappeared. His questioning of Kathy's postal co-worker is cut short by a package bomb meant for him. Before the blast that kills the co-worker and six patrons, but spares Paul, he learns the Merlows are hiding in Jamaica. A romance develops between Dana and Paul, as the search shifts to the island, with support of an FBI team. Paul locates Kathy Merlow, but gunfire from an unknown hit man sends them fleeing in different directions. Dana later reports the killer caught up with both Merlows and dumped their bodies in the ocean. Tipped by Dana that Senator Vega has made a deal for leniency in return for cooperation in a federal corruption probe, Paul exposes the senator on the witness stand at Laurel's trial In order to raise the possibility of other enemies and cast reasonable doubt on Laurel's guilt. When he discovers Kathy Merlow was an alias for a relocated witness reported killed in a car accident, he suspects her death was faked a second time. Peeling back layers of government cover-up, Paul wins Laurel's acquittal. A final attempt on Paul's life is thwarted when Laurel guns down the mystery hit man. Only then does he discover the identity of Melanie's murderer. It's a secret that strikes close to home-a secret Paul keeps to himself as he returns to his daughter. Written by Echo Bridge Home Entertainment See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Writers
Steve Martini (novel "Undue Influence") | Philip Rosenberg (teleplay)
Composer
Cinematographer
Editor
Production Designer
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Sep 15, 1996

Release date
Sep 15, 1996 (United States)

Contacts

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Cast

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53 cast members
Name Known for
Brian Dennehy
Paul Madriani Paul Madriani   See fewer
Patricia Richardson
Laurel Vega Laurel Vega   See fewer
Jean Smart
Dana Colby Dana Colby   See fewer
Alan Rosenberg
Harry Hines Harry Hines   See fewer
Richard Masur
Jack Vega Jack Vega   See fewer
Eric Michael Cole
Danny Vega Danny Vega   See fewer
Allison Mackie
Melanie Vega Melanie Vega   See fewer
Doren Fein
Sarah Madriani Sarah Madriani   See fewer
Rosemary Dunsmore
Carla Morgan Carla Morgan   See fewer
Falconer Abraham
Security Guard Security Guard   See fewer
Michael Anderson Jr.
Funeral Priest Funeral Priest   See fewer
Yank Azman
Jack's Lawyer Jack's Lawyer   See fewer
Brenda Bazinet
Nicole Madriani Nicole Madriani   See fewer
Zachary Bennett
Teenage Gang Leader Teenage Gang Leader   See fewer
John Boylan
Postal Worker Postal Worker   See fewer
David Calderisi
Coroner Coroner   See fewer
Roger Domenique
Fitness Guy Fitness Guy   See fewer
James Downing
Uniformed Cop Uniformed Cop   See fewer
Jayne Eastwood
Mrs. Miller Mrs. Miller   See fewer
Victor Ertmanis
Colin Demming Colin Demming   See fewer
Ancile Gloudon
Jamaica Priest Jamaica Priest   See fewer
Donna Goodhand
Kathy Merlow Kathy Merlow   See fewer
Linda Goranson
Elevator Passenger Elevator Passenger   See fewer
Barbara Gordon
Custody Judge Custody Judge   See fewer
Paul Gordon
Maitre D' Maitre D'   See fewer
Nicky Guadagni
Postal Supervisor Postal Supervisor   See fewer
Kevin Hare
1st Cop 1st Cop   See fewer
Peter Krantz
Fred Travis Fred Travis   See fewer
Peter Langley
Fire Captain Fire Captain   See fewer
Gord Martineau
Newsman Newsman   See fewer
Kari Matchett
Marcie Reed Marcie Reed   See fewer
Wayne McNamara
Court Technician Court Technician   See fewer
Tom Melissis
Lawyer Lawyer   See fewer
Frank Moore
Mail Carrier Mail Carrier   See fewer
Tedde Moore
Corrections Officer Corrections Officer   See fewer
Panou
Rescue Worker (as Panou Mowling) Rescue Worker (as Panou Mowling)   See fewer
Arnold Pinnock
Paramedic Paramedic   See fewer
Laura Press
Jenny Lang Jenny Lang   See fewer
James Purcell
Detective Jimmy Lama Detective Jimmy Lama   See fewer
Michael Ricupero
George Merlow George Merlow   See fewer
Ken Ryan
Male Reporter Male Reporter   See fewer
Alwyn Scott
Jamaican FBI Man Jamaican FBI Man   See fewer
Anthony Sherwood
Charles Franklin Charles Franklin   See fewer
Ola Sturik
Female Reporter Female Reporter   See fewer
Catherine Swing
Television Announcer Television Announcer   See fewer
Tim Weber
Commentator Commentator   See fewer
Scott Wickware
Fireman Fireman   See fewer
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