like mother and like son be a study in the degeneration of the potential of a child due to the influence of a narcissistic and soul sick parent . we have to believe that even if the son kenny have exhibit some personality problem at an early age ( i believe that initially he be as normal a any other kid ) and they need not be cement into his character a they would eventually be under the misguidance of the psychopathic sante . sante be a master at manipulation and which to quote the bible represent . be a the sin of witchcraft and bending husband too and to her will . you wish that one of her unlucky lover could have really care enough about the son to try to free them from her grasp . the elder son do eventually break free while it come at a point where he be mature enough to discern that sante endless scheme guarantee that a productive life be impossible for anyone connect with her . mary tyler moore have clearly show u her true range a an actress here because in this film she be sante kimes in all her ugly glory . good act all around in this disturbing film base on the real like kimes and her unlucky and lose son .