Fatal Desire

Some time back, I read a brief summary of this film in a TV program listing online. For some reason, it sounded better than it's rather "soapish" title would suggest. I recorded it, then all but forgot about it.... until....

Until, in the midst of packing and preparing to move to another state, I got so tired and anxious about the work that I decided to watch some of those old recordings in the hopes that they would get my mind off things. "Fatal Desire" was last of the recorded shows. I couldn't remember why I taped something with a title like that, and counted on it to be worth 15 minutes of watching and put me to sleep.

What a surprise! Within a few minutes minutes I was completely drawn into the story and watched intently. What made the movie so intriguing to me was that all-important aspect of movie-making - character development.

The viewer will know from the first scenes of the film that it will end in a tragedy for the character Joe. Then, a couple of minutes later, we're sent back in time six months. There we meet Tanya, an captivating character who behaves recklessly at bars but seems entirely different at home with a daughter she obviously loves very much.

From there the story turns to her affair with Joe, started over the internet. The viewer can never be quite sure what's going to happen. At times Tanya seems truly sincere. But the film crew has carefully crafted a lead character who just simply gave me "bad vibes." It's like in real life. There's something disturbing about this woman .... but I couldn't quite put your finger on it.

As things move along in the story, it doesn't miss a beat. I spent the entire two hours (counting commercials) taking in every little hint of something wrong in the relationship. They both seem sincere... but the feeling never left that I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

No matter what the ending had been to this film (no spoiler here!), you have two complex very characters in an odd relationship that will keep you in real suspense.

It's an amazing movie - well directed, wonderfully acted, realistic dialogue. I certainly never expected something this gripping!

Ten stars for "Fatal Desire."

I watched this film because Eric Roberts stars in it. He is one of my fave actors. Although Eric is probably approaching 50, he still looks very handsome and sexy, and has obviously kept himself in shape - as evidenced by some shirtless scenes where he looks darn good.

Eric, who is sadly underrated as an actor, in my opinion, does a fine job in this romantic thriller.

Eric plays a character named Joe, a guy who works in a casino in Atlantic City. A newly divorced dad, he's ripe for a new relationship and finds it with a gal named Tanya (Anne Heche), who calls herself sexykitten on-line. That's right, they meet via the Internet.

Joe and Tanya (I noted the characters names evidently were changed since the list of the cast was first given to IMDb), quickly become enamored with one another and he is anxious to meet her in person.

She arrives in Atlantic City and fireworks happen. There are a few little problems for the lovers, however. Tanya confesses to Joe that she is married, and eventually tells Joe her husband, Mark, is physically abusive to her.

Joe has had a few problems himself along the way, and he is sympathetic to Tanya's situation.

They stay in touch after she returns home to Pittsburgh.

Joe wants Tanya to leave her husband, but she is reluctant and fearful.

Things become more intense when threats, and violence occur, followed by some unexpected revelations.

The film was well-paced, entertaining, and held my interest throughout.

8 stars out of 10

Some facts about Fatal Desire: It's a tv-movie so sadly it isn't of the highest quality. It's based on a true story which makes it a bit more interesting to watch. It's starring Eric Roberts, which in my opinion is not a guarantee for great acting, but in this case it wasn't that bad, certainly not his worst movie. The chemistry between Anne Heche and Eric Roberts is a bit cheesy to watch in the beginning but you're get used to it. The best part of the movie is the last part but you have to wait long for it so patience is the keyword here. In conclusion for a tv-movie it's worth a watch but it's just not great cinema.

I caught this movie on the LMN TV channel.

Eventually I realized it is based on a true story. There's also an episode of the TV show 'Forensic Files' about this case called 'Web Of Seduction'.

In the real story these people met in the chat rooms on AOL which I used to go into quite often. However I didn't hang out in the types of chat rooms they met in.

People have to be careful when meeting people anonymously on the internet and then getting involved with them.

It's a good movie, especially by LMN standards, and is relevant for today's world where people meet on the internet. It starts out quite romantically.

Jeff Marzano

Initially when I stumbled upon this 2006 movie titled "Fatal Desire" and I read the synopsis for the movie and saw who was in it, I must admit that my expectations weren't really high. But still, it being a movie that I hadn't seen before, was sufficient to make me sit down and watch it.

Turns out that this movie was actually rather enjoyable, and actually surprised me. In fact, I will actually say that it was an entertaining movie and while I am definitely no fan of Eric Roberts, I must admit that he was actually really good in his role in "Fatal Desire", as was Anne Heche.

Sure, the storyline is pretty simplistic and predictable, and generic for a movie of this particular genre and type. But that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. And the good acting performances definitely helped to lift up the overall movie. Personally, I must say that the whole online dating aspect that the movie had worked out very nicely.

My rating for "Fatal Desire" is a six out of ten stars, and I will actually go as far as saying that if you get the chance to watch this movie from director Ralph Hemecker then you should do so.