Deceived

Adrienne and Jack meet, fall in love, marry, have a child, and live in a wonderful New York apartment. Then Jack is killed in a car crash. Slowly, things start to unravel for Adrienne in "Deceived," a 1991 film starring Goldie Hawn and John Heard.

This is a highly derivative movie concerning fake museum pieces, fake identity, and a double life, but it manages to be exciting and occasionally scary. As other people have commented, there are plot holes aplenty.

Hawn and Heard are both marvelous in their roles, Hawn for a change in a serious part. She shows she's as talented a "straight" actress as she is a comedienne. The final big scene will keep you on the edge of your seat, and the climax of it is a knockout.

This could have been one of the great movies if the script had been tighter because it is very well directed and performed with some excellent camera work and great music.

Despite script holes, I still found it entertaining. I wouldn't have minded paying good money to see it in the theater, and it makes a riveting rental.

Goldie Hawn has never been a favorite, I must admit, but that is all the more reason to catch her in the one performance where she is not quirky, superfluous or silly.

The theme of this story has been done before, but thanks to a fine performance by John Heard, the character of Jack Saunders is intriguing and foreboding. John Heard is an underrated actor who adds a somewhat mischievous, ominous and sometimes comical overtone to his roles (You may want to watch him in the earlier 1970's film "Chilly Scenes of Winter", and there was also a film short wherein he portrayed Fortunato, in Edgar Allen Poe's "Cask of Amontillado". He was excellent).

Look for Ashley Peldon as the young daughter; Robin Bartlett, who is underused as Heard's estranged mother, and Tom Irwin, as Hawn's colleague from the art museum. The mystery is enough to keep you watching, and overall Heard's performance makes it all worthwhile. 7/10.

Dark, somber thriller about an art restorer Adrienne (Goldie Hawn) meeting Jack Saunders (John Heard) and falling in love. They marry, have a kid and are happy--until 6 years (or so) into the marriage he's suddenly killed. Slowly Adrienne discovers her husband wasn't who she thought he was...

Sort of a film noir. Hawn decided to take a chance on a dramatic role. Unfortunately this film fizzled at the box office and Hawn herself later said she made a mistake. I actually like the film. I liked it in 1991 and I still like it now 15 years later. It's got an intricate plot and some very nice directorial touches (some of the scenes were beautiful). Love their apartment too. There was also a very unusual but effective music score and a few nice jolts in the movie too.

The acting varies. Heard is VERY good is his role. Unfortunately Hawn isn't in hers. She's somber, quiet and too restrained. She seems very uncomfortable in the role. She doesn't ruin the movie but she lessens the impact--maybe it's a good thing that she never tried this again. Also I noticed quite a few plot loopholes left dangling after the movie was over. Still I found this engrossing and well-made. Worth catching. I give it an 8.

Don't read any of the criticisms until you've seen the movie. This is a fun ride if you just sit back and enjoy the first half hour of preparation. You may feel the urge to quit watching... don't. Goldie Hawn is a wonderful character actress. You might think that the story is implausible but in N.Y. everything is possible. Keep this mind and enjoy!

I will say this, Goldie Hawn and John Heard did offer up good performances as the leads. The plot was OK, and the dialogue was pretty good, not anything great, just pretty good. The last about 25-30 minutes was very entertaining and fun, the best part of the whole movie. The middle of the movie did kinda drag on a little, that's why it's not getting a higher review. I do suggest the film as a basic thriller, if you're in need of one at some point, although I do think you could find a better one than this. 6/10 for deceived (1991). Not one of Goldie's best, but definitely not terrible. Oh and one more thing, I did enjoy the actress that played Goldie and John's daughter Mary in the film, I thought she did a great job playing her role.