Crimes of Fashion

Brooke (Kaley Cuoco) is a fashion student at a prestigious school in Manhattan. For a former foster child, this is quite a feat. However, she is not truly the "star" of her class. That honor belongs to gorgeous Candace (Megan Fox), who dazzles the student body with her designs. Suddenly, an older gentleman enters Brooke's life. His name is George (Dominic Chianese) and he tells Brooke some startling information. It seems his close friend of his was rich but, when his son and daughter-in-law died, he was too sad to care for a little girl so he gave his granddaughter to the authorities. That was Brooke! But, now that he has died, he has left everything to her. At first quite upset at her late relative for abandoning her, Brooke soon allows George to show her the "family business", a sort of mob that wants to go straight. George also gives Brooke the confidence to excel as a design student. But, could a cute new student be watching Brooke for the FBI? And, are there more secrets afoot? This is a light, romantic film that will please insatiable fans of the genre. The cast, mostly unknowns, is quite good and the script, costumes, sets, camera shots, and direction are all worthy, for it was mostly likely a low budget undertaking. No, it won't be a crime if you sit down to watch this one. Rather, smiles will consistently appear on the contented faces of its viewers.

I thought this was a really cute ABC Family movie. Some of it was unrealistic or cheesy but I still loved it! I have to watch it every time it's on and I think the acting's great! It's a good story too, lets you escape from the realism of everyday life. Most everything in this doesn't happen in real life. But you could wish it did lol. All I have to say is just don't take the movie too seriously when watching it. Expecting an Oscar worthy movie will not make you like this. Just relax and take a break when you watch this. I'd totally recommend this to anyone!

7/10

Cute movie... But it brings up memories of another movie: Married to the Mob. With just a few alternations (Crimes of Fashsion was obviously aimed at a younger audience), it has the same premise. Girl connected to the mob being trailed by a cop who falls for her. Overall, I'd say it falls short of ABC Family's originality, though this isn't the first time(how many TV reruns have they picked up? Gilmore Girls, Boy Next Door, 8 Simple Rules, Full House, Sabrina, etc.) Miss Kaley does deserve a nod but again, not her best work. The ending also is anti-climatic. So, I would recommend this movie to anyone who doesn't mind a clichéd film.

Wow.

The premise is unquestionably ridiculous, yet somehow I found myself watching this - and the movie in its entirety is even more absurd than I had imagined. At the same time, there's no mistaking that it's genuinely made for a family audience, and every aspect of the film leans heavily into that flavor with no greater aspiration than to be fun. 'Crimes of fashion' is actually pretty entertaining.

First, just consider the cast: Kaley Cuoco, a few years before she started making waves as Penny in 'The big bang theory,' as fashion student turned mob boss Brooke. Megan Fox, before she found fame as a boiling love interest in Michael Bay's 'Transformers' films, here as a conniving rival student. And even more surprising, Tim Rozon, oddly fresh-faced and hamming it up as a college boy Don Juan, a sharp contrast to the surly, complicated visage of Doc Holliday in 'Wynonna Earp.' I'm less familiar with Dominic Chianese, here portraying consigliere extraordinaire George, but his warmth and charm is palpable.

I have to admit, I'd be deeply curious to see Cuoco in a serious dramatic role as a crime lord. I just want to know what that would be like.

The narrative here is built on elements of romantic comedies, high school or college dramas, and screwball comedies zeroed in on the mob. Incredibly ham-handed as the plot is - to the point of some scenes being altogether cringe-worthy - it's written well, and solid. No one is going to confuse 'Crimes of fashion' for an award-worthy must-see, but this movie knows exactly what it wants to be, and sells it. Writer David Mickel knew what he was doing.

The picture is focused on fashion, of course, and the wardrobe and costume design definitely reflects it. Hats off to Laurie Drew, Natasha Atkinson, and Jozie Conte, whose work to this end is essential to the film.

To highlight a scant few is hardly to say that anyone in the cast or crew is a slouch, though. While ABC Family has a particular reputation about their features, and it's not undeserved, any potential viewer should already well know what they're getting into, so it's hardly worth raising a fuss. And the fact of the matter is, however blunt and lacking in nuance, this is a well-made movie.

'Crimes of fashion' is witheringly cheesy, with story beats that could have been plucked out of countless other movies. It doesn't care, though, because in the end the only goal with this feature is to have fun, and in that, it succeeds handily. The right audience for this is the one that appreciates inelegant, over the top stories, no matter the genre, and if that describes you, then this is really quite worth watching.

It's a TV movie so that tells you most of it. But surprisingly it's actually not that bad. I had low expectations going in but by the end I was fully entangled in the story.