Una vita segreta

Except for the actor playing the husband, David O'Donnell, this is pretty much predictable. There are two families with the same husband. One neglected wife, played by Haylee Duff, takes it upon herself to find him and make trouble. She gives a very ineffectual performance and is somewhat boring to watch. The other wife, played by Jennifer Aspen, reacts to the trouble the first wife brings into her home. She gives an honest performance with little to do. The friend, played by Mekenna Meloni. is not too much help. Then there's Parker Stevenson, a reluctant detective, that is just in the movie and doesn't do much. And there you have it. Not very interesting and not well written or acted. Duff is somewhat a bad actress and is trouble from the get go. You want her to lose. She's a dork. Don't waste your time with this trite.

Terrible acting by the lead with a matching script. I started commenting on Facebook as the movie progressed because I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was the epitome of awful, but not the kind that makes it kitsch. If a dictionary or writer's guide ever wants to define "too stupid to live," they should post a picture of this movie's heroine. Sheesh! And omg, Parker Stevenson has a small part? Oh dear. You know it's time to turn off the TV if you're suffering through this.

And have watched it many times. Another of my fav movies with Duff is Til Death Do Us Part. She's a great actress. Very natural.

Happily married Haylie Duff (as Sarah Brown) suffers an unexpected tragedy. Her husband, successful San Bernardino, CA salesman David O'Donnell (as Jason Goodman), has gone missing. The bills on their luxurious Big Bear estate are piling up. Even worse, sickly preteen son Judah Nelson (as Brandon) has a rare disease and may need a transplant from dad. The lad's deceased grandfather's old business partner Parker Stevenson (as Daniel Sharpson) is now a detective, but he sees mother Duff as a suspect. It's up to Duff to solve her mounting problems, which puts her life in danger...

This is you average "Lifetime" TV movie. Much of it seems jarring and there are ragged edges in the construction. Still, it's a good effort by writer-director Michael Feifer, who gets the project completed adequately. More production time would have made the drama more satisfying...

Thought Duff may be pregnant with a second child, which would have added heartbreak and possibly given her some more interesting acting opportunities. There is no love interest between her and Det. Stevenson. However, he is noticeably older and, perhaps, no longer seen as a romantic actor. A murdered woman enters the story too abruptly, and model-pretty Jennifer Aspen (as Emily) never says Mr. O'Donnell paid her any attention. While some of the casting seems off, Jennifer Aspen (as Emily) does a fine job as the naive first wife and O'Donnell is fun as Duff's wayward husband.

**** His Secret Family (2015-08-01) Michael Feifer ~ Haylie Duff, David O'Donnell, Parker Stevenson, Jennifer Aspen

I'm not one to submit a review unless it was outstanding, in contrast, this movie was so terrible I felt that I should submit a review and maybe save someone's time. First of all this was the typical kind of movie with the underlying message that all men are awful and will only hurt you. I could handle that since its only a movie, but with all it's other content this movie just put me over the edge. Multiple holes in the story, accompanied by some terrible acting just put the icing on the cake for this abomination. Also, a RIDICULOUS choice of settings, especially with the cabin which was an absolute disgusting addition. I would suggest for all the copies of this movie be burned and the director along with all individuals with even the smallest of relation to this movie should be fired indefinitely.