Shattered

"Shattered," (2017). Directed by Natasha Kermani. Starring Ray Wise, Kate Burnett, and Tom Malloy. This film was obviously a labor of love! Produced as a humanitarian act and one which would be appreciated immeasurably by the one for whom it was intended. The direction was nuanced to perfection. Kate Burnett and Ray Wise nailed their characters, evoking emotion and body language to perfection. I do love a good puzzle and decoding a well done a contrario film. Thank you to the producer for bringing all the elements of this story to a superb film experience!

Somewhere I saw that the film was based on a book, but I can't find the book. Oh wait; " 'Shattered' ' is adapted from 'The Shattered Fabergé Egg,' an autobiographical self-published novel by native Memphian Tonya Truitt." (From the Memphis Commercial Appeal 10-14-2016.)

It definitely reads like a true-crime book, though more of a mystery than a thriller. I watched it in fits and starts, so I had plenty of time to digest it. At times the music is schmaltzy and ridiculous, but there are a couple of country rockers and the initial jump blues at a cocktail party is really good - fits in with the Clarksdale setting. That's the John Clifton Blues Band.

Ah well, "Shattered" is worth spending some time on.

Horrible plot. Unbelievable. Several scenes where main character left her daughter in a hotel unsupervised but we're supposed to believe she's a good mom willing to fight to the end for her kids. I don't know how they got Ray wise but it had to have been a favor Lmaoo.

In no way was this a thriller. Hallmark makes better suspense movies than this. What a waste.

I love TV movies. They're comforting in their predictability and formula. However, the difference between a good one and a bad one, is the actors. Molly Burnett here is down to earth enough to ground the film in reality.

Ray Wise is always fun to watch, but Molly is the star here. Impossible not to root for her.