The black comedy "I Love You To Death" about Frances Toto's efforts to kill her husband, Tony, is no laughing matter for a hit man portrayed in the film by River Phoenix.
Mrs. Toto spent four years in prison for the attempts on her husband's life. The Totos then reunited and sold the rights to their story to a production company for an undisclosed sum.Tracey Ullman and Kevin Kline star as the Totos. Phoenix plays a character based on the hit man, Anthony Bruno.
"The problem I have with it is I have to live every day of my life knowing I tried to hurt someone. To me, that is no joke," Bruno said last week in Allentown, Pa.
Bruno, now 28, was released on parole Jan. 1 after serving 5 1/2 years in prison for trying to murder Toto, a former pizza shop owner from Allentown.
He said he is angry that the Totos seem to be capitalizing on the crimes.
Bruno said he became involved with the Totos' daughter, Elizabeth, in 1982. He also grew close to Mrs. Toto, looking on her as a mother figure.
After another of Elizabeth's boyfriends failed three times to kill Toto, Bruno was enlisted.
On the morning of Jan. 26, 1983, Bruno placed a .25-caliber automatic handgun to the back of Toto's head as he slept and squeezed the trigger. Toto still carries the slug in the back of his skull.