Before the opening credits, attractive real estate agent Laura Mennell (as Chelsey) suffers a third miscarriage. Doctors advise her future pregnancies are risky. Three years later, Ms. Mennell nevertheless announces she is expecting, to handsome construction worker husband Corey Sevier (as Jesse Miller). They have recently separated, but Mr. Sevier agrees to give the relationship another chance. At her yoga class, Mennell meets pregnant blonde schoolteacher Larisa Oleynik (as Diane) and the two expectant mothers strike up a friendship. Mennell tragically miscarries again, but keeps it to herself. She decides to pretend she is still pregnant and begins to covet Ms. Oleynik's baby. The title "Stolen from the Womb" rounds out the plot...
"Inspired by true events," this Lifetime TV stalker movie is paced and performed well, with director Terry Ingram and star Mennell collaborating to make it play...
Mennell successfully balances her character to avoid campiness, but deliver just enough creepiness to make her entertaining; she arouses much suspicion from intuitive Tammy Gillis (as Paula), but appears merely clingy or emotional to others. Although he should figure out what is going on, Mr. Sevier manages to be convincing – right up to the climactic hospital scene. Oleynik does well by playing her mom as preoccupied and polite, as does her college professor spouse Sebastian Spence (as Rob King). Mr. Ingram and photographer Ron Stannett give it some artful angles without getting unnecessarily flashy. It looks like parts of the final 15 minutes were difficult to depict realistically, and a little suspense is lost in the rush of events.
****** Stolen from the Womb (6/21/14) Terry Ingram ~ Laura Mennell, Larisa Oleynik, Corey Sevier, Sebastian Spence
