Deadly Deception

I had never heard of this TV-Movie before, but it popped up as a suggestion on YouTube. I like mystery and suspense, so I tried it. I wasn't disappointed. Matt Salinger plays Jack, a man in a desperate search to find his kidnapped son whom he believes is still alive. Lisa Elibacher plays Anne, a reporter who puts in all her time to help him. Joseph Kell appears as Jack's younger brother, Teddy. Ultimately, Mildred Natwick makes an appearance as Sarah, a woman who figures prominently in Jack's infancy. I enjoyed a well-spent hour-and-a-half on this entertaining mystery.

Whenever the name John Llewellyn Moxey is mentioned as the director of a certain film, I'm confident that it'll be a decent, solid, and professionally made production. This veteran-director specialized in grim and atmospheric TV-thrillers during the seventies, but still also made a couple of notable efforts in the 80s, like this intense - but sadly obscure - "Deadly Deception".

The script touches on some very sensitive and delicate themes that are particularly impactful if you a parent. A young mother and her newborn get lured far away from their home, but later that night she's found hanging from a rope in a motel room and her baby is missing. According to the investigation, Marge Shoat suffered from postnatal depression and threw her baby in a river before committing suicide in the motel. The father, Jack Shoat, is convinced his child is still alive, and goes on a fanatic search together with a local newspaper reporter.

Although not always realistic and plausible, the plot of "Deadly Deception" is every parent's worst nightmare: standing around helpless while losing your partner and your child at the same time. The mystery and thriller elements are well-spread throughout the film, and there are sufficient action sequences and plot twists to keep even the more demanding viewers alert. Very proud to own this on baby on ex-rental VHS.