Time Served

This t.v. movie comes of better than was intended I feel, and I'm talking the quality of the film. Like Chained Heat, if done unintentionally with style and finesse. What we have here quite a good solid drama, about an abused woman (hot Oxenberg) an actress who's name almost slips under the radar, if not for existing much more in the 80's. Batting for her little boy who shot the arsehole of a hubby, she takes the rap, and with a failed hearing, due to corrupt parties, ends up serving her time, which is no picnic, thanks to some of the sick and bent guard folk, and others, in cahoots with that bent judge, who run an operation, involving strip dancing at a club called Mr D'S, owned by and aged and hobbling Bo Hopkins, who's never been funnier. Appointed to Oxenberg's case, is not the brightest of lawyers (Jeff Fahey) an underrated actor, and he does us solid here, where he befriends the son, and starts to investigate the stink. One unintentionally funny scene has him in stupefaction, gawping at Oxenberg, getting her gear off at Mr D's. On the inside though, we're not forgotten about the brutality at the hands of one corrupt, sick, and repugnant, warden who beats the girls if not abiding by his sexual favors, and he plays violent. All in all, Time Served, rises about the average mire of these sorts of prison type films, with a fresh spin off, angle of story, that manages to be bloody entertaining. Solid t.v. movie drama with some hot bods to boot. You might just enjoy this one, and again, Mr 'Dynasty' Hopkins is hilarious, of course not the only star here, who was in that famous 80's soap.

If you want a good women-in-prison movie, rent Caged Heat. This absolute dog isn't worth seeing.

Catherine Oxenburg, with the help of some lighting & makeup, attempts to act a woman 10 years younger than herself who's wrongly accused of a murder. She gets taken to the most unbelievable prison you can imagine & the rest is downhill from there. If you're a guy who likes ogling bare-breasted women, then you may enjoy the strip scenes at Mr. D's, but if you want to see something erotic, you'd be better off renting a soft porn flick.

Admittedly, there are some amusing moments. Bo Hopkins is over the top, but quite funny as Mr. D., and I found Catherine Oxenburg's wooden attempt to pole dance quite hilarious – almost as good as Jeff Fahey's bemused "I've got a hangover and it shows" look – which he must have decided was key for his character, as he didn't change facial expression for the entire film. As for Louise Fletcher, one can only assume she was short of money at the time. The script never lets in a moment of tension, and it's all by the numbers right to the final scene.

The bottom line is that this movie could have been something good if it weren't for the poor acting of the two main stars, Catherine Oxenberg and Jeff Fahey. The movie also could have used a better script, and better motivations for its characters. I would just completely write the movie off as craptacular if it wasn't for the character Rosie Lopez. (played by Lourdes Colon) I was watching this trash on cable late at night out of boredom, when suddenly I grew interested in Lourdes Colon and Rosie Lopez. I would dare say that the only good acting in the movie came out of Lourdes Colon's performance. I thought she was real, believeable, and I found myself caring about her character. That is what I mean about lack of motivation in this movie. Rosie kills a seamstress and that's the last you see of her? I fealt a little ripped off despite the fact that I watched it on Showtime. You never do find out what happens to her character, although I wish you did. Who is this Lourdes? Has she done anything else? If not then Hollywood needs to hurry up and discover her, because here is a great talent in this movie with dried up hacks. I am an instant fan of lourdes' and I hope someone else can tell me of some of the other movies I might see her in. people, mark my words, you will be watching the Oscars soon and this unknown talent will be giving her acceptance speech. I find her acting convincing, and I'm not even going to discuss how beautiful she is. I think that J-Lo has competition now. I hope that Lourdes is still acting, and that this bad movie hasn't deterred her from it. Over all the movie isn't even worth watching, save this one talented actress.

The best thing I can say about this film is that the production values (cinematography, lighting, and sound) are respectable. A not too original variation on the old women-in-prison formula: Woman shoots man, goes to jail, forced to strip, is freed by forgettable hero; this film manages to fail as either sleazy exploitation or tolerable story. The acting is flat, Catherine Oxenburg (the heroine) never really believable in her reluctance, humiliation, or any other emotion for that fact. It's hard to blame her, though, as this movie is clearly nothing more then window dressing for the extended strip preformances by the several dancers, only one of whom is memorable. In fact, this feels more like an audition tape for these dancers, with a plot slapped on at the last minute. All in all, if you're looking for a story or a guilty pleasure, this film is neither.

"Time Served" is a cartoon-like women in prison movie that has little going for it. The plot is ridiculous, a work release program at a strip club, a judge with a very dim view of women is the club's best customer, the warden, Louise Fletcher, gets a piece of the action, and finally, the wrongly imprisoned Catherine Oxenberg pole dances about as well as my goldfish. All is forgiven however whenever Bo Hopkins is on the screen. With his hair dyed blonde, the corpulent Hopkins as "Mr.D", the strip club owner, plays his part in a bizarre, overacting stupor. My suggestion for viewing "Time Served" is to hit the fast forward button anytime a pole appears, and it's almost watchable. A couple stiff drinks wouldn't hurt either. - MERK