11 reviews
BACKSTABBED (TV Movie 2016)
BASIC PLOT: Shelby (Brittany Underwood) and Grant Wilson (Micah Alberti) have been struggling financially. They both have student loans, but Grant can't seem to get anything but temp work, and Shelby is still working on her real estate license. After hearing a talk by a real estate broker, Paulette Bolton (Josie Davis), Shelby offers her services as an unpaid intern. She soon realizes Paulette doesn't always play fair, and sometimes crosses the line into illegality. Grant is against Shelby working with Paulette any further, but Paulette's not the type to take no for an answer. Can the Wilson's untangle themselves from Paulette's web, in time to save their future?
WHAT WORKS: *This is a perfect melodrama! Over the top characters and motivations, with a good vs evil plot, what more could you ask for?
*Kevin Spirtas as Max Rhymer, the sleezy investor, is played to perfection! His Scotch drinking, hipster clothing and bad come-on's are spot on for the type of tool he is portraying. Even his choice of hot-tubbing, for the "business meeting," is right.
*Finally a decent trailer, with no silly voiceover!
WHAT DOESN'T WORK: *I know this is a melodrama, which means there are lots of stereotypes, but this husband is too goody-goody. People who are hurting, even good people, don't tend to stick to their principals this much. Grant's (Micah Alberti) moral outrage over the cheating, just doesn't play. He might be worried she'd get caught, but not that she passed. He'd be relieved Shelby got her license, and could bring in a paycheck. Grant's been the sole breadwinner, and he's working as a temp receptionist. He'd be mollified she's employable, not that she cheated, especially since she didn't know ahead of time.
*The setup of the bar scene, with the high class hooker Charlotte (Amanda Musso) is terrible! She's a beautiful woman, but they way it's shot, makes her look like she has a double chin, and hawk nose. This is a prime example of bad blocking. Eric Anderson, the cinematographer, and Doug Campbell, the director, should be ashamed of what they did to that poor girl.
*Why, if you're Grant, would you not record the conversation with the hooker, as she confesses? In world of ubiquitous cell phones, this plot device IS NO LONGER VIABLE! Bryan Dick and Raul Inglis, who wrote this, should know everybody records everything! You guys put a cell phone in his hand, but we are supposed to believe Grant wouldn't record the confession that would save his marriage? Really?
*The cover art could use some work, it's not the worst, but definitely not the best either.
*What is with Josie Davis's walk? I've noticed this before on other movies, it's like she stomping everywhere she goes.
TO RECOMMEND, OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IS THE QUESTION: *If you like made-for-tv melodramas, you'll like this. It's a fun ride, sit back, make the popcorn, and enjoy the hilarity! NOT TOO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY!
CLOSING NOTES: *This is a Made-For-TV movie, please keep that in mind before you watch\rate it. TV movies have a much lower budget, and so your expectations should be adjusted.
*I have no connection to the film, or production in ANY way. I am just an honest viewer, who wishes for more straight forward reviews. Hope I helped you out.
BASIC PLOT: Shelby (Brittany Underwood) and Grant Wilson (Micah Alberti) have been struggling financially. They both have student loans, but Grant can't seem to get anything but temp work, and Shelby is still working on her real estate license. After hearing a talk by a real estate broker, Paulette Bolton (Josie Davis), Shelby offers her services as an unpaid intern. She soon realizes Paulette doesn't always play fair, and sometimes crosses the line into illegality. Grant is against Shelby working with Paulette any further, but Paulette's not the type to take no for an answer. Can the Wilson's untangle themselves from Paulette's web, in time to save their future?
WHAT WORKS: *This is a perfect melodrama! Over the top characters and motivations, with a good vs evil plot, what more could you ask for?
*Kevin Spirtas as Max Rhymer, the sleezy investor, is played to perfection! His Scotch drinking, hipster clothing and bad come-on's are spot on for the type of tool he is portraying. Even his choice of hot-tubbing, for the "business meeting," is right.
*Finally a decent trailer, with no silly voiceover!
WHAT DOESN'T WORK: *I know this is a melodrama, which means there are lots of stereotypes, but this husband is too goody-goody. People who are hurting, even good people, don't tend to stick to their principals this much. Grant's (Micah Alberti) moral outrage over the cheating, just doesn't play. He might be worried she'd get caught, but not that she passed. He'd be relieved Shelby got her license, and could bring in a paycheck. Grant's been the sole breadwinner, and he's working as a temp receptionist. He'd be mollified she's employable, not that she cheated, especially since she didn't know ahead of time.
*The setup of the bar scene, with the high class hooker Charlotte (Amanda Musso) is terrible! She's a beautiful woman, but they way it's shot, makes her look like she has a double chin, and hawk nose. This is a prime example of bad blocking. Eric Anderson, the cinematographer, and Doug Campbell, the director, should be ashamed of what they did to that poor girl.
*Why, if you're Grant, would you not record the conversation with the hooker, as she confesses? In world of ubiquitous cell phones, this plot device IS NO LONGER VIABLE! Bryan Dick and Raul Inglis, who wrote this, should know everybody records everything! You guys put a cell phone in his hand, but we are supposed to believe Grant wouldn't record the confession that would save his marriage? Really?
*The cover art could use some work, it's not the worst, but definitely not the best either.
*What is with Josie Davis's walk? I've noticed this before on other movies, it's like she stomping everywhere she goes.
TO RECOMMEND, OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IS THE QUESTION: *If you like made-for-tv melodramas, you'll like this. It's a fun ride, sit back, make the popcorn, and enjoy the hilarity! NOT TOO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY!
CLOSING NOTES: *This is a Made-For-TV movie, please keep that in mind before you watch\rate it. TV movies have a much lower budget, and so your expectations should be adjusted.
*I have no connection to the film, or production in ANY way. I am just an honest viewer, who wishes for more straight forward reviews. Hope I helped you out.
- vnssyndrome89
- Aug 20, 2023
- Permalink
- kapelusznik18
- Nov 18, 2016
- Permalink
- mary-179-677383
- May 18, 2020
- Permalink
From the beginning you may be in shock and disbelieve. Once you start shaking your head, you won't stop shaking it. I'm still giving it a 2, because it tries and I've literally seen worse. Believe me - in this case you can, even though that phrase might have been ruined by a different individual, using it but not meaning it - or rather lying nonetheless.
But I got off point. Not that it matters really. If this would be your first movie, you would know what's going to happen. Calling the main character gullible would be an insult to gullible people. This is way beyond that. Maybe you like one of the actors, but if not there is almost no saving grace and no reason to watch this. You surely have better things to do
But I got off point. Not that it matters really. If this would be your first movie, you would know what's going to happen. Calling the main character gullible would be an insult to gullible people. This is way beyond that. Maybe you like one of the actors, but if not there is almost no saving grace and no reason to watch this. You surely have better things to do
- mgconlan-1
- Sep 3, 2016
- Permalink
Faced-paced with a good looking cast. This is an easy way to pass 90 minutes. Found it on Prime during quarantine and it was worth the watch. Good amount of twists and turns and "backstabbing" going on.
- mjanssens26
- May 14, 2020
- Permalink
- los-chupacabras
- Apr 17, 2017
- Permalink
- phd_travel
- Aug 3, 2017
- Permalink
I am a big fan of Josie Davis. At first when I saw her do The Perfect Assistant, I didn't like her. But then I saw it again and I realized I didn't like her character she played. And that is a true tribute to this wonderful actress's talents. I recently saw two of Miss Davis LMN films, Accidental Obsession and Backstabbed. Completely different films and roles. In one she is the victim and the other she was the evil one. She is that versatile in what she does. Brilliant in all the small looks and reactions that maybe you miss but, as an actor myself, I see all the work she puts into her performances. Even when the scripts aren't the best, she stands out in them all. Check her out in Dirty Teacher. I just wish she could get into the big time films and get to work with the best in the business. I wish her so much ahead of her.
- geoffox-766-418467
- Apr 30, 2017
- Permalink