The O. J. Simpson Story

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The O. J. Simpson Story
GenreBiography
Sport
Written byStephen Harrigan
Directed byJerrold Freedman[1]
StarringBobby Hosea
Jessica Tuck
David Roberson
James Handy
Kimberly Russell
Harvey Jason
ComposerHarald Kloser
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerRobert Lovenheim
ProducerBob Lemchen
CinematographyJeffrey Jur
EditorKimberley Bennett
Running time90 minutes
Production companies20th Century Fox Television
National Studios Inc.
Original release
NetworkFox
ReleaseJanuary 31, 1995 (1995-01-31)

The O. J. Simpson Story is a 1995 American drama film directed by Jerrold Freedman and written by Stephen Harrigan. It stars Bobby Hosea, Jessica Tuck, David Roberson, James Handy, Kimberly Russell and Harvey Jason. It premiered on Fox on January 31, 1995.[2][3][4]

Plot[edit]

O.J. Simpson's ex-wife Nicole Brown is found murdered along with her friend Ron Goldman, outside Nicole's Brentwood townhouse. Simpson is brought to the police station as a suspect. As he struggles with police interrogation and the focus of the media, Simpson's life unfolds via flashbacks, from his first meeting with Nicole in 1977, to growing up in San Francisco in the 1960s, to Simpson's and Brown's romance and marriage in 1985. The pair gradually descend into domestic squabbles over Simpson's selfish and controlling behavior, with Brown suffering depression and drug use. Aspects of Simpson’s life are shown, 1964, 1970, 1975, 1979, 1985 and 1989.

Charged with the murders, Simpson panics and flees with his friend A. C. Cowlings, finding himself flashing back to a childhood meeting with baseball great Willie Mays. The bronco chase filmed by media. Simpson ultimately turns himself in, as his life of his prime flashes before his eyes; his friends, children, fame, and Brown.[5]

Cast[edit]

Production[edit]

Simpson is portrayed by Bobby Hosea.[6][7]

Hosea was advised by fellow black actors not to take the part but ignored them, keen to portray Simpson, who was an influence on his life, in a non-judgmental fashion.[8]

Conceived by Rupert Murdoch who saw the biopic as a promotional platform for NFL telecasts, the movie was originally scheduled to air the week before Simpson’s trial began. However, after Shapiro raised concerns about the jury pool being tainted, the FOX network agreed to delay the telecast until after the trial had started. It eventually aired on January 31st 1995, one week after the trial began.

Reception[edit]

Bobby Hosea said in a interview that he felt his portrayal of Simpson ruined his career, stating that nobody wanted to hire him after.[9] Hosea reacted to Simpson's death in 2024 with "a mix of emotions and balances".[10] The 2022 book Women in True Crime Media praised Tuck's performance as Brown as well as the potrayal of Brown as a human being. [11]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ TV Guide
  2. ^ O'Connor, John J. (1995-01-31). "TELEVISION REVIEW; Now a Film About You-Know-What". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  3. ^ Tim Gray (1995-01-30). "The O.J. Simpson Story". Variety.com. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  4. ^ "The Oj Simpson Story Movie | Fox's 'O.J. Simpson Story' is docudrama at its worst". Articles.baltimoresun.com. 1995-01-31. Archived from the original on 2018-03-21. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  5. ^ Watch ‘The OJ Simpson Story,’ the 1995 TV Movie, in Its Entirety (Video) - Yahoo Entertainment
  6. ^ "Bobby Hosea Takes a Risk with O.j. Simpson Role". Chicago Tribune. 21 September 1994.
  7. ^ "FOX MOVIE CASTS O.J. IN BAD LIGHT". ipg.vt.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  8. ^ Jet (6 Feb. 1995) - Google Books (pg.62)
  9. ^ Actor Who Played O.J. in Forgotten 1995 Movie Recalls Their Cold Encounter, Yahoo News UK (23 March 2016).
  10. ^ "Coach Bobby Hosea on LinkedIn: Brain injuries have been and will continue to be taught into the sport of…".
  11. ^ Women in True Crime Media - Google Books (pg.154)

External links[edit]

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