Wall of Secrets

Wall of Secrets - This wasn't a bad movie, but I would've liked to see them expand the female character a bit more; for example have her join a law firm as well as getting involved with the "mystery" involving the people in the apartment building. Or expand the male character by showing him at work a bit more. The director has left it up to the viewer's imagination too much. The male character left Seattle for a supposedly great job in Chicago, but we never saw him in an office setting or interacting with other work colleagues, except for the scene at the cocktail party. Also, I would've liked to see more of a background of the two characters, such as starting off the movie with both of them still in Seattle preparing for the move to Chicago, so the viewer would have more of an indication where the characters were coming from & where they were headed. I believe a scene from this movie was filmed at my son's school and I would like to know where I can get a copy of the movie. I have looked in some stores, but they don't have it. Was it just a made for TV movie or was it also put out on video/DVD? If I can purchase it I would like to know where/how? If it is strictly a made for TV movie, will it ever be on TV again?

WALL OF SECRETS (TV Movie 2003)

BASIC PLOT: Mark & Paige Emerson are recently married, and have just relocated from Seattle to Chicago. They've moved into one of the venerable, imposing old stone structures Chicago is known for. The place is almost too good to be true, it's spacious, and luxuriant, but Paige (Nicole Eggert) is beginning to feel uncomfortable in their new home. She is having one strange experience after another. Paige is hearing inexplicable noises at night, and whispering coming from the walls. She decides to speak to Irene (Mary Morter), the eccentric old woman who lives next door. Irene thinks the apartment is cursed, and tells Paige, the last two residents died in an inscrutable fire. But before Paige can learn anymore, Irene is killed.

To make matter's worse, a strange young woman is watching Paige. Paige later spots her arguing with Mark (Dean McDermott) outside his office. Is Mark having an affair, or does all this have something to do with Mark's enigmatic father, Hugh Emerson (Stephen McHattie)? Does Hugh have something to do with the mysteries plaguing Paige? And who was the young woman arguing with Mark?

Paige gave up her own law career to follow Mark to Chicago. She's only known him nine months, and she's beginning to think he has dangerous secrets Will she live long enough to find out what they are?

WHAT WORKS: *The atmospheric setting of the building is creepy, and beautiful at the same time. This juxtaposition sets the mood, and adds to the suspense.

*The pacing of this movie makes it more enjoyable to watch. Paige uncovers one enigma, which organically, leads to another. The mystery unfolds, and keeps you interested.

WHAT DOESN'T WORK: *Nicole Eggert is no actress, she's a model. Her performance is probably the best she has to offer, but it is still uninspired.

TO RECOMMEND, OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IS THE QUESTION: *As made-for-tv movies go, this is a step above the rest. It's not a supernatural thriller, as the description suggests, but it is a worthwhile mystery.

CLOSING NOTES: *This is a Made-For-TV movie, please keep that in mind before you watch\rate it. TV movies have a much lower budget, and so your expectations should be adjusted.

*I have no connection to the film, or production in ANY way. I am just an honest viewer, who wishes for more straight forward reviews. Hope I helped you out.

This movie was fun to watch and the main reason is the character played by NE.

On the surface, this movie is entertaining enough. It provides some suspense and a decent plot. However, if you're the type to piece together the information and try to understand the characters' actions, you may be disappointed.

The tension is enough to keep you interested but not riveted. The story line could have been better developed to avoid the questions that the deeper thinker will find. The plot doesn't get too complicated e.g. faked deaths, etc. But there are enough lies to at least keep you watching to see if you're right about who's telling the truth. And you probably are.

Overall, it works just fine for tame, quiet Friday night entertainment.

I'd give this one a "3*," one for each of the leads because they are at least active to look-at, and another because it's a bit fascinating in its mediocrity.

I one read a Leonard Maltin review of a Patrick Swayze flick, in which he stated his acting, as usual, ranged "from 'A' to 'B'." I couldn't agree more regarding Patrick, and virtually all of the performances - particularly the two leads - in this movie fit this description/

The plot, with its supposed twists, foreshadows and eerie aspects, can be given a grade of "C-," and that's an exceedingly generous grade. (And the old-lady neighbor, who gives the "heroine" forewarnings about her new abode, looks as though she might be the last remnant from one of Vincent Price's classically-corny horror flicks several decades ago.)

The flick also appears to have been written and directed by personnel who, if they attended some sort of film school, had grades at this level or below.

Not much to recommend - even for "Lifetime."