A young couple chain themselves to a light cement block and hold hands on a bridge, overlooking some dangerous water. Apparently, they jump. Six months earlier, we meet sourpuss Paloma Kwiatkowski (as Emily Yates). The 18-year-old college freshman is sullen most of the time, leading her lawyer mother Lindsay Hartley (as Jill) to believe Ms. Kwiatkowski may be off her medication. Kwiatkowski is depressed and has an aversion to water (or, she did, previous to the opening teaser). One thing that we see cheering Kwiatkowski up is bad blond boyfriend Jedidiah Goodacre (as Gary Smith). A handsome young security officer, Mr. Goodacre works better than medication. When they meet, Goodacre turns off Ms. Hartley with his bad table manners...
Directed by Paul Shapiro and written by Stephen Lyons, this is a very predictable "Lifetime" TV drama. They handle the assignment successfully. The basic plot, which has been recycled many times, reinforces the demographic viewers' perception that a daughter's boyfriend is usually bad news. To compare and contrast, mother Hartley is given handsome new bed-partner Dan Payne (as Connor Hodges). The younger couple steal the show by offering a nice variety of nasty, sullen, moody, pouty and scowling looks. Hartley is out to there. Of the supporting players, police officer brother James Pizzinato (as Ritchie Smith) shows a good range; when he over-telegraphs, it's due to a lingering camera. The movie is full of stupidity, but it is fun to watch.
***** Dying to Be Loved (4/16/16) Paul Shapiro ~ Lindsay Hartley, Paloma Kwiatkowski, Jedidiah Goodacre, Dan Payne
Directed by Paul Shapiro and written by Stephen Lyons, this is a very predictable "Lifetime" TV drama. They handle the assignment successfully. The basic plot, which has been recycled many times, reinforces the demographic viewers' perception that a daughter's boyfriend is usually bad news. To compare and contrast, mother Hartley is given handsome new bed-partner Dan Payne (as Connor Hodges). The younger couple steal the show by offering a nice variety of nasty, sullen, moody, pouty and scowling looks. Hartley is out to there. Of the supporting players, police officer brother James Pizzinato (as Ritchie Smith) shows a good range; when he over-telegraphs, it's due to a lingering camera. The movie is full of stupidity, but it is fun to watch.
***** Dying to Be Loved (4/16/16) Paul Shapiro ~ Lindsay Hartley, Paloma Kwiatkowski, Jedidiah Goodacre, Dan Payne