The Hollywood Mom's Mystery

I had nothing to do but was just scrolling the TV Channels on my Television last night and suddenly came across this Film screening on Hallmark Channel (India). I stopped right there because i was watching few glimpses of my favorite actress Angie Everhart and in those glimpses i also happened to see few other beautiful women talking something spicy...

I went ahead with this film and witnessed that Julia (Angie Everhart) get's murdered in the Swimming Pool of Lucy (Justine Bateman) and Lucy's husband Kit (Andrew McCarthy) is framed for the murder. Kit once had an affair with Julia and Lucy knows about it. Julia was a neighbor to this family. Kit is a Film Producer and Julia's husband Woody Prentice (George Hammilton) is a Sitcom Star Icon. If Lucy wants to clear the name of her husband from this murder, She herself has to Trace Down the real killer behind Julia's murder.

Now, This looks like a Heard-Story-Before but those who have not seen this film has to see it to believe it that how well this film is handled. The camera work and screenplay is itself so tight that it keeps you engaged and guessing till the last minutes. The film travels through the narration of Lucy (Justine Bateman) and from her point of view, You see the whole film. I don't think that this film was a Theatrical Release because it was made for TV.

Performancewise, It is Justine Bateman who steals the show and carries the film on her shoulders. Another performance to look forward to in this movie is of Homicide Detective Theresa Shoe (Elizabeth Pena) which was Humorous and Under-played as well. Overall! A good film to watch at any time...

This is a pleasant and enjoyable little film about a children's book author who gets involved in some Hollywood murders and decides to try to solve them. Sort of "Murder, She wrote" with a younger protagonist.

Justine Bateman (Mallory of yore) is very relaxed and does well as this amateur detective.

There are some plot loose ends that never get resolved(for instance, why doesn't her husband Andrew Macarthy call her when he is out of town and who is the mysterious neighbor etc.) but it doesn't matter that much.

The film ends in a way that might suggest that they hope to make more of these stories and I wouldn't mind seeing more of them.

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and have watched it many times over. The acting, production values, and screenplay are all very good. Congratulations are due to Levinson and company. Justine Bateman and Elizabeth Pena both do a terrific job, and it was great seeing George Hamilton again. We particularly like the main character's lively narrative throughout the story. The screenplay does a nice job of picking off all those typical Hollywood characters we have come to love-to-loathe so much. We think this would make a great TV series. My wife read the book, which has many more details than the movie. But even without these details, the movie is entertaining and intriguing. If you like your who-done-its with a soft touch, then we recommend this movie most highly.

I really enjoy watching Andrew McCarthy films so when I found this film in the listings I made sure that I watched it. I found it very entertaining, although I don't really like the narrating throughout, and would have preferred it without, hence an 8/10 rather than a 10. The acting was great and a lovely murder mystery plot. Justine Bateman is wonderful in the lead role and there is an early performance from a young David Henry ( wizards of Waverley place) I will definitely be watching this film again next time it comes on as I will be recommending it to other members of the family. The locations were wonderful . Oh to live in houses like these! So all in all well worth a watch for all ages.