A Friend's Betrayal

"A Friend's Betrayal" is an insightful, thought-provoking and interesting movie on a topic that has not been extensively dealt with in the entertainment industry –with a few notable exceptions. It was much more balanced, non-judgmental and rational than it could have been and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The performances in the movie are good. Sharon Lawrence provides an excellent portrayal of the elder woman and gives her character a unique amount of personality, depth and insight which allows the viewer to feel empathy and perhaps in some cases some sympathy for her point of view and the emotions she is going through. She is also exceedingly beautiful and vivacious and that also gives a realistic dimension to this role. Brian Austin Green is also excellent in the role of Paul –he gives the character enough passion, sensitivity and realism to make you also relate and identify with the feelings and emotions that he is experiencing. The supporting cast is also excellent –with John Getz, Ashleigh Aston Moore and Katie Wright all portraying their characters exceptionally and with perfection. The only disappointing character in my opinion was the character of Paul's mother –somehow her character seemed a bit too flat and one-dimensional. Perhaps this was biased by the fact that I didn't like her character but I still think she could have been handled better The script and dialogue in this movie flow well and avoids the trap evident in a considerable number of telemovies of becoming too clichéd or unrealistic. The issues involved in the movie are discussed and treated in a professional way and the consequences of the actions of all the characters involved are evaluated thoughtfully. I actually sympathized with the teenager and Sharon Lawrence's character here –being attracted to older woman myself –but the movie was wonderful at allowing me to see the other side of the picture. That's what I enjoyed so much about this movie –it didn't seek to pass judgment or editorialize about the actions of the main characters. It just let the story unfold quite close to the way that it probably would have in real life.

I was disappointed with the ending of this film –which I won't reveal-but, like an early reviewer here, I agree that many would see it as a logical conclusion. I'm actually going to give this 9/10 –I found this enjoyable, entertaining and intriguing to watch and it totally exceeded my expectations

This absorbing t.v. movie recounts how an eighteen year old high-school student, and a woman old enough to be his Mum (in fact, his mother's divorced best friend),come to fall in love, and the affair's effect on their friends and family.

I had no problem with this concept: the treatment was sober and logical, progressing from initial respect between generations, to a realization that despite a score of years between them they had much in common, so much in fact, that it seemed inevitable that, they, eventually, fall in love, despite the social conventions, and their own inhibitions.

A word about filmic "social conventions". Movie romances pairing young women with old men, are many and unremarkable...why then should the "hook' to this movie be that the genders are reversed? Why should not the heroine be the "Midsummer"? (I refuse to describe the gorgeous Ms Lawrence as being "September")

As I say, I could see why any woman would fall for him...despite his age, he is a real man, bright, accomplished, sensible, generous, civil. If a woman wasn't attracted by his nature, his mind should appeal...failing that, he's a hunk, full of teen hormones

And anyone could appreciate Sharon Lawrence, delectable, whether dressed to the nines, or dressed not at all - she displays her physical charms even more than in "NYPD Blue" She's a mature spitfire , with an appetite for sex. Nor is she a predator preying on his teen innocence - - he seduces her!

Thus, for me, they were well matched...sure, twenty years down the road, their relationship will probably be strained, but isn't that true of most man-woman relationships, which seem so compatible at the outset? Will you love her/him as much in the next millennium (in some cases, next week!), as you do, today?...and she/he you?

No, the problem for me was not their relationship, but on the depicted reaction of some, in the movie. I would expect his male schoolmates to revere, rather than ridicule him - as they do in this film - when they discover that he's bedding a woman twice his age... it may be sexist, but, in real life, males, of all ages, look up to those of their species who "score" with the opposite sex, even more macho esteem accruing, if the sex-object be older, thereby, in theory, less attainable. And I found his mother's attitude really unhealthy...as an alternative to this gifted accomplished pair going off to Paris to, given their talents, a successful business and personal life, Mom demanded that ths MAN return home to live with her, and his family (Dad and Sis)!

I was very dissatisfied with the ending of this film...I won't reveal it, and I will say, that it was a judgement call, and why I bestowed but a 7...but many will find it a logical resolution, and it is a very watchable film, so I recommend it to all.

I liked this film, sure the ending was a bit on the predictable side but for a change it is nice to see that the lovers were a younger man and older woman.

So many movies made where much older man has younger female lover but the roles are seldom reversed, and if ever they never come off without making the woman "evil." On the whole I liked this movie.

Also the fact Sharon Lawrence was the lover is a beautiful woman, and a great actor to boot.

This film recently aired on Lifetime, and it saddens me to see the same old woman vs. woman clichéd combat repeated on a network purportedly catering to women. That is, to the woman who follows all of society's stereotypes. Lawrence's character is demonized for corrupting the young man (when it is quite clear that he, not her, is the aggressor) and for incidents stemming, in fact, from the ranting mother's actions. The film lost me almost entirely when during a long hysterical scene brandishing words like "child molester" and threats to call the police it turned out that the fellow was 18 - an age legal for sexual activity in every state in the Union, then as now! The ending is predictable and caters to Moral "Majority" expectations.

The film had its moments, the cinematography was fine and the love scenes torrid, but you don't sit through two hours of film to see ten good minutes if you have any sense.

Rating: 4/10

Movie is called Stolen youth, so why give it a different name? It's too confusing. When I did a search here (IMDB), it wasn't coming up. It is titled a friends betrayal or similar!

Anyway, for an old movie it was ok. Bit slow