Movie Review - A Life Of Deception

A Life Of Deception

AKA:  Washed Away

2017

 The Cast 

Here we have the well-worn story of a dead husband and the wife who won't believe he's dead.  While out on a vacation celebrating their anniversary Parker (Sirow) is supposedly killed in a whitewater canoeing accident.  However, during a visit to San Francisco a few months later his wife, Gabrielle (Vaugier), swears she see's him in a busy market.  But of course, he disappears before she can get to him.  This and a few other strange events prompt her to start her own investigation into his death.  The twists are well woven into the story though they're nothing new and you can figure them out quite quickly.  That though is pretty much the only issue I had with the story.

Emmanuelle Vaugier gives another solid performance as a wife thrown into a broiling situation.  She handles the many emotions the story calls for in her stride.  Doubt over their marriage, fear over her missing husband, sadness at the wake, the awareness that something isn't right, understanding at the outcome.  I know why this actress gets hired.  Shame it's the rest of the cast which lets the acting down.  Cameron Bancroft as Detective Asher is so blank and emotionless, somebody should take his pulse to make sure he's still alive.  At times the same can be said about Kristen Harris' portrayal of Genna, though she does have a few scene's where she comes alive.  The trouble is you just don't care for her.  When she comes to Gabrielle with the story of being beaten up by her drunken husband, she just doesn't sell it enough.  Had this character come across better then the film would have been stronger for it.  I thought it might have been the writing or direction that was the cause of the characters problems, but then Adam Hurtig comes along as Travis.  Travis is irascible, greaving, angry, and blames his sister in law for his brother's death.  Most of the time this can be seen in his demeanour and on his face.  Hurtig is an actor to watch.

As for the direction, Jeff Beasley does a good job and tries to add different camera shots to show mood.  There's a scene after Parker's death where Gabrielle is laying on her bed thinking, mourning, and remembering him.  Beasley tries to show her feelings at this time by a series of steady near still shots as she shifts about the bed.  Five seconds of her laid on her back, head on pillows.  Five seconds of her laid on her front, head towards the foot of the bed.  Five seconds of her sat on the edge at the foot of the bed.  Though this didn't work for me, I have to appreciate that he tried to add something different to keep the story and film interesting to the viewers.  His whitewater shot at the beginning was very good, though not really tied to the film... unless it's Gabrielle's accident we learn about later.

I enjoyed this film and would recommend it to all armchair detectives, whodunnit pundits, and mystery and thriller fans everywhere for at least one viewing.  It doesn't even have to be raining outside.  Though I would say it's a lazy day film... so a good one to watch in bed on a Sunday morning or after a pleasant and filling Sunday dinner.

I give this disappearing husband a 5.75 out of 10.

The Trailer

Movie Review - Midnight Fear

Midnight Fear

1991

The Cast

I really enjoyed this dark and brooding psychological whodunnit.  A woman is murdered in a most unpleasant way.  She has her foot severed at the ankle.  She is then skinned alive.  When she is finally dead the killer decides now would be the best time for some sex...  Yuck!  On the scene of the crime is Detective Hanley (Carradine) who, having seen more than his fair share of depravity, chooses alcohol as his work partner of choice.  Meanwhile, across on the other side of the town, a couple of men have turned up at a farm looking for a telephone as their car has broken down.  At the stables, they find Jenny, who is house and horse sitting for her friend while she and her brother go on spring break.  There's something not quite right about these brothers, Paul (Wasson) and John (Fletcher)...

It's at this point that the story starts to get good and twisty.  The trouble is that the writers and director go a little heavy-handedly about dropping hints as to the twists in the story.  I have to admit this was the only off-putting thing in the film for me.  Apart from these little bits, the story is strong and well structured.  But the best thing about it is the ending, which is brilliant, and probably one of the truest endings on film - as well as the most ironic.

The acting is above average and I found all the characters to be realistic and believable... except for one scene towards the climax of the film.  This had John and Jenny playing out a scene.  It's Jenny's behaviour, at this point that really angered me.  The character that we've seen, up to this point, wouldn't do, act, or say the things she does in this scene.   I know that's vague but I don't want to spoil the film for anyone.  And besides, this is only a slight annoyance and shouldn't stop anyone from watching this film.  But when you get to this scene and you'll know and be ready for it.  I think this flick also shows how underrated David Carradine was as an actor.  He really does get the alcoholic detective fighting the monkey on his back down pat.  It's not Oscar material, but it is good.

And I have to give respect to Bill Crain who was great at using light to create atmosphere and tension... some of it is pretty striking while others are quite subtle.  Take the climax around the pool, very artistic.  I also loved how he ceased all sound when you were looking out of John's eyes as he was a deaf-mute.  This added a different perspective, even if it was just a few seconds at a time.  There are some really nice camera shots too.  The climax in the bedroom is especially beautiful and sad, as well as being beautifully lit.

Though this isn't the greatest film ever made it does have a lot going for it.  It's one film that I wouldn't mind watching again... maybe, even a few times.  I would say to all psychological thriller lovers, murder mystery fans, armchair detectives, and whodunnit pundits give this one a go - it's worth it.

I give this a skinned and bloody 6.75 out of 10.

The Trailer

Movie Review - Presumed Dead

Presumed Dead

2006 

 The Cast

After the death of her police officer husband Detective Mary Ann Cooper - "Coop" - (Fenn) is reluctant to take leave and throws herself into her work, much to the distress of her young daughter.  On the night of her husband's death, he was called out to a domestic disturbance at a local writer's home.  Sharing his thoughts about the man and the situation with Coop, she is left with the impression that the writer is not to be trusted.  So when she hears about a possible murder at the house she rushes to the crime scene and inserts herself into the case.  This is where the twists and turns begin.

This is a very clever mystery tale.  However, there are times when it feels as though the writer, Lindsay James (Keith Shaw) struggles with some of the plot twists and their culmination.  Which is a shame as it adds a sloppiness to the project.  Though the courtroom scene is very well structured as you get to see how a writers mind can rework the facts to meet a different scenario.  Loved this section of the story.  Then you get the ending which feels rushed and spoils the mood and aura of the film.

The director, George Mendeluk, is adept at creating atmosphere, though a little more tension at times wouldn't have gone amiss.  Also, a change of pace would have been good.  There are a couple of scenes that would have improved from a different approach, especially the two in the woods.

I liked Fenn as the cop on a mission, she did well in portraying her.  Fenn has had a lot of hits and misses in her career, this one is a hit.  The rest of the cast also do a good job with their characterisations.  Though, I wouldn't have chosen Regehr to play the writer, Seth Harmon.  This character calls for a cool and cocky air to him, Regehr gets nowhere near to these traits.  Then when he starts to break, Regehr struggles with pulling off this psychological side.  Though, this could be what the director envisioned and asked for.  However, I cannot help but think how much better the film would have been with a stronger bad guy.

This is a movie I'd recommend all mystery and thriller fans and whodunnit pundits to watch, at least once.  Once the plot twists have been exposed then the power of the film has been expunged.

I give this a writer's block of 5.75 out of 10.

The Trailer

Movie Review - Killer Mom

Killer Mom

2017

The Cast

Karen Cliche in a cliched film - who would have guessed, right(?)

So this is the story about a career-minded woman, Jessica (Cliche), who won't let anything stand in her way.  When her husband is arrested for fraud she decides to track down her daughter, Allison (Martin).  Allison has been raised by her father and his wife after she was born due to her father's affair with Jessica.  Now that her father has passed away Allison and her sister, Sydni (Blanton), are the sole inheritors of his will... except that Jessica has other plans.

Serge does try to add something new to an old story, though he unfortunately also throws in some cliches - and well-used ones at that, which deters a little from his good work.  Also, some of the narratives are a little heavy-handed and unrealistic.

Though what lowers the film most is the direction.  Conradt sticks to a pretty tried and true formulaic structure with the filming.  It wouldn't have hurt to add a few different camera angles and possible some nice pans of scenery and location.  Also, a little bit of lighting to add atmosphere and mood would have gone a long way after all this is a psychological thriller.

The one bright side to this movie is Maddy Martin who does a good job with her character.  She could be one actress to keep an eye on.  It's just a shame that the rest of the cast isn't up to her standard, especially Cliche who is relatively wooden throughout the film.  Though she has a striking face and a decent body, I just cannot understand why the men Jessica is with would find her attractive enough to bed, because, characterwise, there's nothing attractive about this woman.

All in all, I'd recommend watching any of the many other TV movies of this ilk out there as they are probably more enjoyable.

I give this an unmysterious and below average score of 3.75 out of 10.

The Trailer