A Killer Upstairs

Sometimes you just need the first three seconds of a movie to already know this is going to be bad. A Killer Upstairs is one of those movies. They for sure didn't try to hide it was a tv movie. From the first seconds you get that bad image, that bad music and sound, that lousy acting, that are typical for tv movies. I only watched it because there was a supposed mystery but everything is so predictable it isn't funny anymore. I exactly knew what happened after twenty minutes so no surprise there. The reason I gave it three and not one star is the fact that I laughed a lot and so had a little bit of joy after all. I laughed because the acting is so bad you wonder how the hell those people made it into cinema. All shots are so cliché it becomes funny after a while. It's really bad though, but funny because it's so bad. The music or sound effects that should create a mysterious ambiance are also laughable, the typical sounds of a bad tv movie, in other words the obliged and typical bad piano music. Tracy Nelson, the supposed star of the movie, has her eternal same stupid facial expression for every scene, and that's most likely the reason why she only appears in stinkers.

These Lifetime movies move at such a snail's pace that you can tune in anytime and not miss much actual plot. They set up a good case for murder and then plod along to fill out a two-hour program length.

A KILLER UPSTAIRS at least has one thing to recommend it--a good final twist for the end of the mystery behind a woman's death at the hands of a spurned lover. But getting to those final fifteen minutes of exposition takes patience because the central characters are not at all likable.

Part of this has to be due to the main performance by Tracey Nelson, the mother with the staring eyes and the whining voice. It's a one-note portrayal of a mother anxious to clear her son of false charges. Christopher Jacot is the son with the haunted look in his eyes, a hurt expression summing up his reaction at being falsely accused. There's not much else he can do with a thankless role.

What's really surprising is how weak Bruce Boxleitner is as the cocky detective who never believes a word the mother says. He looks bored (true, it's another thankless role), and nothing more. Nor are any of the other participants likely to be up for Emmy nominations.

Loopholes in the script are plentiful when it comes to character motivation. And a scene at the local liquor store where the mother is pleading with a worker to tell the truth, comes across as highly unbelievable in view of the fact that neither notices the criminal listening intently to their every word.

Only one thing is sure: the final revelations do come as a surprise, but by that time will anyone care?

Just watched this movie fir the 1st time. How in the heck does Tracy Nelson still get "acting" gigs till this day?? Is she grandmothered in?? Boxleitner is just collecting a paycheck. Jacot seemed lost acting period. The movie alibi was ridiculous. The kid was never fingerprinted, so how did they get a comparison on the vase?? Poorly written. Poorly acted. And how do the detectives just sit the kid down in his home and interrogate him? Then, mom at school talks about his situation to him (which is also ridiculous) and he says "I can't talk after school because I have detention". Really?? I gave it a 2 because I wasted time watching it.

This is made for television. Maybe the kind of entertaining low budget thriller that is being left behind, for glossier entertainments but it caught my attention and held it for the whole film, that is very unusual these days! The simplicity and clarity of the acting, and the lack of posturing, ambiguity were refreshing. We care about the characters, especially the mother, I couldn't help thinking that is believable that is wonderful what she is doing for her son, even if I thought he was guilty. The writing and directing were like clockwork, perfect as far as I am concerned. Its been a long time since I sat through a movie. The mother played by Tracey Nelson was super ( she happens to be the daughter of the late great singing star Ricky Nelson) Hey I could cynically say this is a formula made for TV but I call it good entertainment.

About a mother who tries to save her son from murder. Plot is predictable and acting poor. Even with the likes of Bruce Boxlieter. Won''t go into the plot except to say its a good pop corn movies. That means you can leave the room anytime and not miss much. I have in the past critiqued the acting of Tracey Nelson. Daughter of Rick, she obviously didn't inherit any of his talent. She has an annoying pout and high whiny voice that grates on your nerves. A mature woman who sounds like Shirly Temple. Her hair is stringy, and hanging in her face most of the time. But mainly her acting is amateurish and boring. You don't believe her for a second. Sorry.