Before the opening credits, a preteen boy watches his babysitter scramble to hide a sexual encounter with her male companion. The young man vacates before the boy's father catches the copulating couple. The small boy receives attention and a piece of jewelry from his adored babysitter. Many years later, we are introduced to voluptuous blonde Arianne Zucker (as Suzanne), in bed with her neatly bearded musician husband George Stults (as Robert Austin). We assume this couple are the older, married and still sexually compatible teenagers from the opening. They have a daughter of their own, rebellious teenager Natalie Lander (as Callista). That leaves the preteen boy unaccounted for, but we'll get there...
Clearly the breadwinner in the family, Ms. Zucker is a big shot managing editor at the fashionable "Style Harmony" magazine. She wears fancy clothes and looks sharp in red bikini underwear. Zucker gets the "Killer Assistant" we are promised in the title. A "killer assistant" can be excellent on the job or, literally, a murderer. You will be able to determine which line of thinking is appropriate. Remember, this is a "Lifetime" TV movie...
Exuberant, handsome and muscular (you'll see him doing chin-ups in tight shorts) assistant Brando Eaton (as David Barinas) tells Zucker he is available "day and night." The latter proves to be an asset because Zucker is high strung and needs help to unwind one evening. Their story is fun to watch, with director Danny J. Boyle and everyone performing competently. Strongest are Mr. Boyle's scenes with Zucker and assistant Eaton. The pace is quick, which helps cover up the inability of the characters to figure out what is actually wrong and do something to prevent the next incident. Much appreciated.
***** Killer Assistant (4/1/2016) Danny J. Boyle ~ Arianne Zucker, Brando Eaton, Natalie Lander, George Stults
