Le cauchemar d'une mère

Even compared to other Lifetime original movies, this one has a very weird energy, whereby it seems like the character writing is just completely scattered; all four principles carry wildly inconsistent vibes throughout most of the length. Even heading into the third act the movie still has yet to give a firm beat on exactly who wife, husband, son, or long-lost daughter are, or what they're doing, and the narrative therefore also comes across as being all over the place. I suppose it's to the credit of the screenwriters that this is perfectly intentional, veiling the true nature of the course of events with a successful cloak of mystery until everything is lined up Just So. It's by design that we viewers are kept guessing. A single line of dialogue is all that it takes for the pieces to start to fall into place - though I think it's also true that there's an issue here insofar as the last twenty minutes throw so much plot at us in such rapid succession that it feels rushed and overfull. When all is said and done I think 'A wife's nightmare' is fairly well done and enjoyable, but I'm not entirely sure how to feel about it.

Broadly speaking, I'd be lying if I said I weren't at least a little bit impressed: it's the writing that comes off weakest at first, but as every seeming wrinkle is ultimately smoothed out and revealed to be part of the Big Picture, it turns out that Dan Trotta and Blake Corbet's screenplay might actually be the most readily commendable and stand-out aspect after all. This is hardly to count out the efforts of everyone else involved; while this is hardly a must-see presentation, all those working behind the scenes did fine work. The acting is nothing revelatory, yet Lola Tash, Dylan Neal, Spencer List, and above all Jennifer Beals do give swell performances in which I find no fault. Vic Sarin's direction is solid, and I'm happy to say that 'A wife's nightmare' is one of those few Lifetime productions (or TV movies, generally) that maintain a normal pace, never sprinting ahead. Why, for that matter: perhaps one shouldn't congratulate filmmakers for coloring within the lines, but it's safe to say that most of this picture's kin are astoundingly direct and brusque in their storytelling, leaving little to the imagination. If there were only one thing that could be said in favor of 'A wife's nightmare,' it's that it avoids that low-hanging fruit. On the contrary, once again, the narrative is certainly less than lucid at first blush, to the point that it initially seems like a flaw.

It must be said that there's no small amount of ham-handedness present, above all at the cringe-worthy ending but also possibly any time the feature tries to paint a portrait of glad tidings. This is, still, cut from the same cloth as its television brethren, even if it doesn't bear all the exact same troubles. It's a flavor of Lifetime that's mostly very sincere - and, sincerely, more worthwhile than not - though for anyone who has a hard time abiding such fare in the first place, this may not be the title to change one's mind. For as many reservations as I had at the outset, however, ultimately I'm a bit pleasantly surprised that this is at least in some ways a cut above its fellows. It may not have any especial spark to endear it to us, or help it secure a place in our heart over similar films, but it's pretty well made and entertaining, I think, which would seem to mean it achieved its goal. Don't go out of your way for 'A wife's nightmare' but if you do come across it, this is a fairly decent way to spend ninety minutes.

Following a nervous breakdown, attractive businesswoman Jennifer Beals (as Elizabeth "Liz" Michaels) is sent home from the psychiatric hospital. With help from some balancing medication, Ms. Beals believes she can also return to work. This is great news, because handsome musician husband Dylan Neal (as Gabe) is still looking for a best-seller, after completing two albums. The couple have one son, cute high school-aged Spencer List (as AJ). For some unexplained reason, Mr. List can't attract a pretty girl at school. After grocery shopping one day, mom and dad are accosted by beautiful blonde 19-year-old Lola Tash (as Caitlin Patterson). She claims her recently deceased mother named Mr. Neal as her father...

This makes the sexy young woman Neal's daughter from a brief relationship, occurring way back. Presently living in her car, Ms. Tash is invited into the family. Now, remember Ms. Beals had a psychiatric problem. At first, she accepts Tash as a step-daughter. But Beals starts to see Tash getting very chummy with the family. One scene has Tash spilling a drink on her ample chest, with the camera moving in to show Neal patting out the wetness as it drips down her cleavage. Tash also makes slightly younger List giggle when tickling his upper thighs as they play video games. Beals witnesses these incidents and thinks they may not be so innocent. They are not explicit enough for us to know what's going on, supposedly...

In reality, it's fairly obvious...

This "Lifetime" TV movie never gets away from its formula, but director Vic Sarin and the cast do make it slightly better than ordinary. This is most evident in the four leading players. They remain convincing, as Mr. Sarin keeps their characterizations on track through some idiocy. Beals does not seem like she could have been crazy, but we're not shown that part of the story. List says he loves the "Underground Records" shop where Tash works, but does not recognize the gorgeous blonde who worked there is his new sister. Yet, List portrays his young teenage character very well. The opening minutes go overboard in showing Tash's emotions, but she's quite impressive. Finally, Neal definitively nails his daddy role home.

***** A Wife's Nightmare (12/27/14) Vic Sarin ~ Jennifer Beals, Lola Tash, Dylan Neal, Spencer List

I originally purchased this film just because Jennifer Beals was in it. I was not disappointed. Jennifer Beals is without a shadow of a doubt a versatile talented actress. The film had great intrigue and I like that. As far as I'm concerned if Jennifer Beals is in a film it's gonna be a great film!

The whole story is ridiculous.and the acting is awful. The scenes themselves are terrible because they make no sense. The main character has a huge presentation to do, she shows 3 picture and everyone loves it....Meeting over?? So bad we just couldn't turn away. We've rarely enjoyed laughing so hard at a movie.

It's very sad to see beautiful, talented Jennifer Beals in a film like this, but such is the price of turning 50 in Hollywood. I give her credit -- she works much more than many other women her age. I think she could have afforded to skip this one.

Beals stars as Liz, a woman who has had a mental breakdown and recently returned to her family. She is the breadwinner; her husband Gabe is an out-of-work musician trying to put an album together. One day a young woman shows up, says her name is Caitlin and that she's Gabe's daughter. Her mother is deceased, and her will directed her daughter to him.

Since Caitlin is living out of her car, the family moves her in, and before long, she is causing problems as they await the DNA results. For one thing, she kisses her brother on the lips. Strange things begin to happen to Liz's work - files disappear when she's trying to make a presentation at work, for instance. Before long, Liz feels like she's ready for the asylum again.

It won't be hard to figure this one out. Thanks to Beals, it's not as bad as it could have been. One problem - for a presentation as major as the Beals character was giving, one would think she would have had those files on a jump drive in her office. Just saying. I saw it on Lifetime, which says it all.