The Wrong Roommate

"The Lodger - Evil Upstairs".

Some of the beach-side locations for this film look fantastic!

The Wrong Roommate (TV Movie 2016) 5 out of 10 stars Time to Read: 1:55 min

BASIC PLOT: Laurie Valentine (Jessica Morris) has finally found the strength to free herself from her oppressive, overbearing ex-fiance, Mark Dupree (William McNamara). Catching him in their bed with another woman was the final straw, and she is starting her life over. Her best friend, Janice Dahl (Dominique Swain), encouraged her to start teaching, and now they both work at the same college. She's also looking forward to working with her friend and mentor, Floyd (Eric Roberts), who's head of her department. She's not quite back on her feet yet, so while her sister is away for the summer, she's staying at her place, with her seventeen year old niece, Ricki (Brianna Joy Chomer). Unbeknownst to Laurie, her sister was renting out her guesthouse to a handsome stranger, a man named Alan Cypher (Jason-Shane Scott). He's kind to Ricki, and he's nice to have around, especially since Mark keeps showing up at the house, trying to convince Laurie to come back to him. Other than Mark's inability to let go, things seem to be turning around for Laurie. She is enjoying teaching, and her students are achieving more than ever before. Her life is finally her own again, and her choices, and mistakes can be made without Mark's watchful eye. She's even enjoying her new found flirtation with Alan Cypher. But as her life turns around, Laurie's instincts tell her something is wrong. Can she discover what's causing this nagging feeling, in time to save herself?

WHAT WORKS: *THE CASTING WAS EXCELLENT This movie is cast very well, and it elevates the script. Everyone does a fine job, and for a made-for-tv melodrama, it is above average.

WHAT DOESN'T WORK: *FLOYD RECOGNIZING AN OBSCURE ARTIST FROM 20 YEARS AGO IS A STRETCH Floyd (Eric Roberts), a colleague of Laurie's, tells "Alan" his art is a forgery, because he recognizes the work, it was done by a student of his, that died twenty years ago. That's the biggest deus ex machina, I've ever seen. Wouldn't it be better to have Floyd as a volunteer in the arts program at the local prison? He'd have seen the work more recently, and it would be a hell of a lot easier to believe.

*WHY DO MEN ALWAYS WRITE WOMEN AS WEAKER THAN THEY ARE? So After Janice hits Kurt in the head, and he drops the gun, she just runs over to Rikki, even as Laurie struggles with Kurt for the gun. He's having them dig they're own graves, but we're supposed to believe the women wouldn't beat this guy's a**? Why not hit him again, and again and again and again, until he stops moving! I don't even have to look, I already know this was written by a man, and written badly. You know why women always have so many defense wounds when attacked? Because for one, we value our lives as much as the next guy, and for two, women are NEVER as weak as men imagine them to be. Why don't male writers ever understand this, especially when they are writing for women? This is why one of my favorite made-for-tv movies is Fatal Flip (2015), (also starring Dominique Swain) the main character in that movie doesn't require a man to save her, she saves her man, and takes care of the psycho herself. (I just looked, this movie is written by a man, Matthew Jason Walsh)

TO RECOMMEND, OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IS THE QUESTION: *If you are a fan of made-for-tv movies, and you like and understand the art form of melodrama, then you'll probably like this. It's pure silly entertainment, meant for turning your brain off, and eating some popcorn 🍿. So, if your a fan of this type of movie, pop that corn, kick your shoes off, and enjoy. If you hate made-for-tv melodramas, then please stop watching and rating them.

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. This review was NOT written in full, or in part, by a bot. I am just an honest viewer, who wishes for more straight forward reviews (less trolls and fanboys), and better entertainment. Hope I helped you out.

While her sister is in China on a business trip, beautiful blonde Jessica Morris (as Laurie Valentine) house-sits her luxurious estate. The college professor must also keep an eye on her sister's attractive 17-year-old niece. Also staying on the estate is muscular show-off Jason-Shane Scott (as Alan). The hunk is an artist who lives in the attic. Conflict arises when Ms. Morris' ex-fiancé keeps visiting, unannounced. He wants Morris back in bed. She has her eye on Mr. Scott, which isn't hard to fathom. Scott's physique is eye-catching. When the two meet, Morris wears a red bikini and denim shorts that flatter the female form very nicely. Later, she appears in black underwear. You get the feeling these bodies will hook up...

Prolific actor Eric Roberts appears. It seems, from the opening minutes, like Mr. Roberts is the star; yet, his is a supporting role. Roberts ties for second male supporting actor. The college professors speak more like seventh graders than professional teachers. Roberts discovers a plot twist that strains credulity. Lobster art is a hot commodity, apparently. Also receiving top billing is Vivica A. Fox. She appears late in the running, looking incredulous. Later, she looks incredulous again. Others in the cast are occasionally less singular in their performances. Roberts and the extras make the most of their roles. The leading players certainly look good. Unfortunately, "The Wrong Roommate" is a very dumb TV movie.

** The Wrong Roommate (2016-01-03) David DeCoteau ~ Jessica Morris, Jason-Shane Scott, Eric Roberts, Brianna Chomer

It seems as of late that a continuing theme keeps raising it's head in these lifetime movies.

But really now, is this the only why these weak AF writers know how to pad the run time of these low-fat zero sugar weaker than two percent milk drama/thriller/crime/romance or whatever they are movies is to install not one iota of common sense in these wooden characters. Which leads to astonishing disbelief and a face palming WTF was that responses from the sane viewing audience at what just transpired on their flat screens.

And it's these idiotic decision making tendencies that take me completely out of the ball game.

I will admit that FF was my best friend during some of the cheesier dialog and the fact that security lights, cameras and door locks were not applied throughout this movie, even with the possessive ex-fiance dropping by unannounced.

Soooo, I have no idea what movie those here scoring this higher than a four watched, but it wasn't "The Wrong Roommate"

Pretty professor (Jessica Morris) stays in her absent sister's house to babysit her teenage niece. But there is a charming artist renting a room there who happens to be set up by her ex. From the title you can tell he's a bit more than anyone bargained for.

There are not too many surprises here - but it's mindlessly diverting to watch things unfold. Strange cameo by Eric Roberts - what happened to his teeth? If you need a trashy Lifetime thriller - it's okay.