Amber Frey Tells Her Side in New Movie

From the moment Laci Peterson's (search) disappearance made headlines on Christmas Day 2002 and suspicion fell on her good-looking fertilizer salesman husband, Scott, the nation was transfixed by the California couple.

A month later, the story of the missing 27-year-old mom-to-be with the big smile became a soap opera when massage therapist Amber Frey (search) announced that she had entered into a relationship with the now-convicted double murderer, unaware that he was married.

Now a new TV movie tells the infamous story from Frey's point of view.

"Amber Frey: Witness for the Prosecution," (search) which aired Tuesday night on CBS at 9 p.m. EDT, stars Janel Moloney (search) of "The West Wing" as Frey, newcomer Nathan Anderson as Peterson and "Saturday Night Live" alum Nora Dunn as Frey's attorney Gloria Allred (search).

Video: Frey, Allred Go 'On the Record'

The movie was based on Frey's best-selling book, but Frey told FOX News that Allred, who is co-executive producer of the film, had "a little bit more input."

Allred said she and Frey both worked on the movie.

"Amber had an opportunity to talk at length on the telephone with Janel Moloney, who plays her and, in addition, Amber visited the set as did I," Allred told FOX News.

"In addition, I received copies of the script and made comments on the script and so we did have input as we went along. Amber had an opportunity to meet with the writer, with the director, with the producers, so I think they have captured the spirit of her experience with Scott Peterson and with the justice system," she said.

Initially, the single mom from Fresno was subject to ridicule when nude pictures of her surfaced in the tabloids.

But Frey's belief that she had to do everything she could to help police — including remain silent until she testified against her former lover — ultimately made her the heroine of the tragic tale, which ended when Frey helped put Peterson on death row for the murder of his wife and unborn son, Conner.

Amber said being played in a movie on TV is a "little bit of a thrill," but emotional.

"I haven't seen the film so I'm looking forward to seeing everything put together, and it should be definitely a lot of emotions there for me in viewing the film," she told FOX news.

As for Allred, she thinks Dunn has her down pat.

"I have to say I've met Nora Dunn. I love her. I think we have a lot of common values. We have a very common view of life. I think she gets who I am and why I do what I do — that I do have a passion for justice. I think she cares about injustice against women and I think she cared about this case. I'm sure she's going to do a wonderful job because she's a terrific actor."

New York Post writer Diane Clehane says "all the principal players have their characters down cold."

"Moloney seems to all but channel Frey. Anderson captures Peterson's mannerisms perfectly. Dunn assumes Allred's tough lady persona while sporting the attorney's power suits and flying saucer-sized brooches," she wrote.

The movie also revealed heartbreaking details about Frey's tearful meetings with Sharon Rocha (search), Laci Peterson's mom, and fascinating bits like her attempt to share her favorite book, Rick Warren's "The Purpose-Driven Life" with Peterson after he was arrested.

"They had a relationship, not just a few dates," Allred told the Post. "It was intense, romantic and exciting."

And dangerous. In one chilling scene, Frey, who was 26 during the affair, learns that her former lover, then 30, was carrying an assortment of knives, duct tape and a map to her office the day he was arrested.

Moloney resisted taking on the role at first.

"I didn't like what it said about us as a culture, that we're so fascinated by the story," the actress told the Post. "Then I talked to my really smart girlfriends. They were obsessed with Amber Frey. I thought: What on Earth is going on? That was what got me interested."

Moloney researched her role by meeting with Frey.

"I didn't judge her," she told the Post. "I wanted to justify that line, 'Can I trust you with my heart?' because she really said it. I've heard stuff that like come out of my mouth. Those of us who have fallen in love have all said really dumb things. She struck me as having an innocent, childlike quality."

As for Frey's present life, she told FOX News she's "just spending a lot of time with my two children and just kind of doing the same normal things that I always have." But people haven't forgotten who she is. Asked whether she can go places without being Amber Frey, she said no.

"Not really. You know, I think I kind of tune that out a little bit but not really, no."

Allred said she and Frey are booking engagements to field questions from the still-obsessed about Frey's relationship with the death row murderer.

"People come up to her all the time and say, 'You go girl!'" Allred said. "They're proud of her for what she did."

Frey said she does hear from time to time about how Peterson is faring behind bars, but she doesn't seek out the information.

"As far as any interest of my own in looking and researching or anything else, no, it's not there for me."

Frey plans on watching the movie Tuesday night ... alone.

"I think it's something I want to view by myself — just have that privacy of emotions that I may have in viewing the film," she told FOX News.

The New York Post's Diane Clehane contributed to this report.