A major proportion of "Lifetime" flicks fall into a small number of categories: the psychotic neighbor/babysitter/co-worker/etc., who insinuates herself/himself into a family in order to take-over or settle a grudge; the spouse with a hidden past or some dark secret emerging during the story; and the spouse who disappears mysteriously and/or suddenly.
This one gave the viewer a "twofer:" Bill Devane disappears from his family's life suddenly, and Marlo and the kids must contend both with this and secrets emerging simultaneously.
This story didn't have the realism many of this genre have, and realism is hardly a main staple in this genre to begin with. And this IN ADDITION TO the fact that (despite both looking pretty good), Bill Devane and Marlo Thomas were both pushing 67 at this film's release. The producers missed a bet in not making a product placement deal and showing bottles of Viagra and calcium supplements at their bedside or in the bathroom.
And for Pete's sake, the younger child, the son, in real life, could be their GREAT grandson.
As to story, there was nothing overly compelling, even had there been no distraction with regard to the age factor. The story line and performances weren't overwhelming or surprising in any aspect. The "twist" intended at the end wasn't a huge surprise, and it almost seemed that the cast had lost a lot of the minimal energy in their portrayals early. Many of these predictable TV movies present performances which are almost catatonic - this one was the extreme opposite.
Finally, I couldn't help being a bit distracted, wondering what-in-the-hell the circumstances were which led to this opus being made in New Zealand??!! There was nothing unique about the setting, simply portrayed as "Fairfield," a community on a body of water. You hardly have to travel to one of the farthest locales possible on the planet, to make a TV movie with appropriate setting available within an hour or less anywhere in the country.
Since Marlo Thomas is listed as a producer, I would guess she and Phil were looking forward to a visit down under, and combined with this endeavor.
