Mrs. Harris

On a stormy March night in 1980, Jean Harris, the headmistress of a Virginia girls’ school, travels to the Purchase, New York estate of her former lover, the renowned cardiologist Herman Tarnower after a long drive. She intends to confront him and end their relationship, spurred by his growing attachment to his younger secretary, Lynne Tryforos. What begins as a tense confrontation escalates into a physical struggle during which Tarnower is shot. She initially leaves to seek help but returns when she sees police arriving at the house.

Told through a nonlinear narrative structure, the film interweaves flashbacks and flashforwards to map the history of Harris and Tarnower’s turbulent relationship. What begins with promise gradually deteriorates as Tarnower’s domineering personality and serial infidelity take a psychological toll on Harris. He offers a marriage gesture—a flashy ring—but refuses to wed, citing his unwillingness to take on a paternal role for her two sons. As the relationship falters, Tarnower maintains emotional control and prescribes Harris a regimen of medications that lead to dependency.

As the story shifts toward the courtroom, a second depiction of the shooting is shown, contrasting the earlier portrayal. In this sequence, Harris is seen deliberately firing multiple times, challenging her courtroom claim of an accidental discharge. Her refusal to allow her attorney to present Tarnower’s manipulative behavior as part of her defense undermines a plea of emotional disturbance. She is ultimately convicted and sentenced to 15 years to life in Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women in Westchester County.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:45