Mesmerized (1985) – John Laughlin.

A subtly sinister 19 century crime thriller from new Zealand, concerning the melodramatic misfortunes that befell innocent foundling Victoria (Jodie Foster) who, once married to crass businessman Oliver (John Lithgow) must endure his unsavoury peccadilloes! As one would expect, Jodie Foster is both sympathetic, and distractingly lovely as the naive teenage bride, with John Lithgow being especially well cast as her drunken, increasingly oppressive husband. Based on a true crime history, Mesmerized proved to be more of an intriguing curiosity than essential cinema. The performances are all exemplary, there are picturesque rural locations, and exacting period detail, while I was never completely mesmerized, it is certainly well made, and would be a decent watch to more avid fans of Lithgow and Foster.