If you want to enjoy all the fine nuances and details of intricate plots, characterizations, clues, and red herrings, then read a book. Movies are limited by a number of constraints.
At best, major movies have 120 minutes available, whereas made-for-TV movies have only 90-100 minutes. Additionally, TV movies have many more code restrictions imposed on them. In books, authors can get away with almost anything. On top of everything else, Lifetime and Hallmark impose additional restrictions to insure films on their channels are compatible with their wholesome corporate images. To say that scripts on the Hallmark channel are mediocre is to do them an injustice.
By necessity, story lines for TV movies must be simplified, lest they become too confusing by trying to cram too much into too little available time. The same is true with the development of characters and their back stories. I think the scripts on these channels are just fine, given the restrictions they are under.
The story for "Dear Prudence" was not predictable. If anyone figured everything out in the first 15 minutes, then they simply made a lucky guess. But I wouldn't bet my new IPad based on that guess.
Jane Seymour and her fellow actors all did a fine and believable job. The production values were lovely, and the script was lively and entertaining. I think this would make a terrific TV series.
If you like your mystery stories on the somewhat lighter side, then I would recommend this movie most highly.
