Caught shoplifting, troubled teenager Camille Cregan (as Jillian Sanders) is bailed out of jail by her best friend's mother, Helen Slater (as Cheryl Jordan). A nurse on leave from her hospital, Ms. Slater asks Ms. Cregan to move in and help care for desperately ill daughter Meaghan Martin (as Melanie). Cregan's estranged mother is in rehab, so she agrees moves in with her sick friend and perfect mom. Cregan quickly becomes suspicious and begins to secretly investigate Martin's mysterious illness...
While not heralded as a biographical story, "The Good Mother" is claimed to be based on a factual condition. It's more like a disease drama than a psycho thriller. As such, it's too bad more wasn't done with the psychological problem because it doesn't ring true, here, and Slater just seems to be shouting about nothing. Cregan is lovely and impressive. There is fine direction and photography by Richard Gabai and Scott Peck, who are especially good shooting scenes in the bed and dining rooms.
***** The Good Mother (6/8/13) Richard Gabai ~ Helen Slater, Camille Cregan, Patrick Fabian, James Eckhouse
