[1] Two women, LaFonda Fay Foster and Tina Hickey Powell, murdered five people in the real-life incident.

[2][3] The film's supporting cast includes Jim Varney, who portrays the drunk, violent, incestuous father of one of the two women at the center of the story.

[4] Close friends Rae and Carla live an impoverished life in a quiet, depressed Southern town.

Variety reviewer Joe Leydon applauded the acting—particularly that of Stewart and Varney—and called the film a "diamond in the rough, or at least a shiny bit of jagged rhinestone.

"[5] Ken Fox of TV Guide viewed it as both "grueling" and admirable: "The film attains the dirty, hyperrealism of a reality based cop show, but with a surprising touch of quiet compassion.