Jackie K. Cooper

Lifetime takes us into "Witness" territory with their new original movie "Plain Truth." Mariska Hargitay and Allison Pill co-star in this tale of an Amish girl charged with the murder of her newborn child. These two actresses work together to create an intense drama that keeps you guessing for the length of the film.

Hargitay plays Ellie Harrison, a burnt out attorney who is searching for a purpose in her life. She has all but abandoned her legal career when she is contacted and asked to take the case of an Amish girl named Katie (Pill) who is accused of murdering her newborn child.

Ellis takes the case but it is a rough one. In lieu of bail the judge orders her to be personally responsible for Katie's actions prior to trail. This requires Ellie to move to the Amish community and take up residence in Katie's parents' home. Katie's mother welcomes Ellie, but her father does not.

In preparing for the case Ellie is astounded to find that not only does Katie deny killing the child, she also denies that she has ever been pregnant. She appears to be living in a world of complete denial.

Hargitay is solid as the defense attorney trying to make sense of her case and her client. Pill is even more amazing as the young girl who seems almost ethereal at times. Her personality can change with the moment and Pill gives her every nuance.

The film is based on Jodi Picoult's novel of the same name that has developed a cult audience. THese rabid fans will be more than thrilled to see the story come to the screen. They turned into the channel in droves when Lifetime presented Picoult's story "The Pact" and they should all return to watch this one as well.

It is a plus in for the movie that the Amish community is treated with respect. They are not scorned or ridiculed, though they do have a murderer living among them in this plot. But one murderer in a hundred or more years is not a bad record.

Picoult's story makes for interesting viewing but it is the acting talents of Hargitay and Pill that give it the added boost it needs. They are definitely worth watching.