Mrs. Harris (2006)
A searing HBO drama that revisits one of America’s most sensational true-crime trials through two unforgettable performances.
Mrs. Harris - Movie Information
- Release Year: 2006
- Directed by: Phyllis Nagy
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Thriller, TV Movie
- Runtime: 1h 34m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 25, 2006 (United States)
- Production Companies: HBO Films, Killer Films, Number 9 Films, John Wells Productions
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
Mrs. Harris - Plot
Based on the sensational 1980s media event, famed cardiologist Herman Tarnower meets a particularly brutal end at the hands of his jilted lover, Jean Harris.
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Mrs. Harris - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Phyllis Nagy
Main Cast
- Annette Bening
- Ben Kingsley
- Cloris Leachman
- Lawrence O'Donnell
- Frank Whaley
- Bill Smitrovich
- Frances Fisher
- Michael Gross
- Ronald Guttman
- John Patrick Amedori
Writers
- Phyllis Nagy
Producers
- Chrisann Verges
Mrs. Harris - FAQs
Is Mrs. Harris based on a true story?
Yes, Mrs. Harris is rooted in a real and shocking case. Jean Harris, headmistress of an elite Virginia school, shot and killed her longtime lover Dr. Herman Tarnower — the famous Scarsdale Diet author — in March 1980. The subsequent trial became one of the most sensational media events of the decade.
Who plays Jean Harris and Herman Tarnower?
Annette Bening delivers a riveting performance as Jean Harris, the scorned lover driven to a fatal act, while Ben Kingsley portrays the charming yet cold cardiologist Herman Tarnower. Their on-screen chemistry makes the film’s tragic dynamic all the more compelling and believable.
What is Mrs. Harris about?
Mrs. Harris dramatizes the infamous 1980 murder of diet guru Dr. Herman Tarnower by his long-term companion Jean Harris. The film explores their turbulent relationship, Harris’s emotional unraveling as Tarnower grew distant, and the high-profile trial that captivated America and sparked debates about love, obsession, and justice.
Did Jean Harris actually intend to kill Tarnower?
Jean Harris always maintained she drove to Tarnower’s home intending to take her own life, not his. She claimed the gun discharged during a struggle. The jury didn’t believe her, convicting her of second-degree murder in 1981. She served nearly 12 years before being granted clemency in 1992.
Who directed Mrs. Harris?
Phyllis Nagy directed Mrs. Harris, also writing the screenplay. Nagy is a celebrated playwright and screenwriter perhaps best known for adapting Patricia Highsmith’s Carol (2015). Her sharp, character-driven sensibility is very much on display in this intimate yet explosive portrait of a woman pushed beyond her limits.
When was Mrs. Harris released?
Mrs. Harris premiered on February 25, 2006, in the United States as an HBO television film. The production was a collaboration between HBO Films, Killer Films, Number 9 Films, and John Wells Productions, bringing this notorious real-life story to a wide home audience for the first time in this format.
What are similar movies to Mrs. Harris?
If Mrs. Harris gripped you, you might enjoy Iron Jawed Angels (2004), a passionate drama about women fighting for their rights, or Petals on the Wind (2014), another dark story of obsession and consequence. My Brilliant Career (1979) and A Dry White Season (1989) also offer compelling character-driven drama worth exploring.
How long is Mrs. Harris?
Mrs. Harris runs for 94 minutes — just under an hour and a half. It’s a tightly paced drama that wastes no time drawing you into the volatile relationship between Jean Harris and Herman Tarnower, building steadily toward its devastating and inevitable conclusion.
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