Ah, Lifetime. Their original movies have a definite reputation - blunt, direct, and ham-handed. Some titles surprise by being genuinely enjoyable ('Under the Christmas tree'), some are glaringly gauche but a good time all the same ('Adopted in danger'), and still others are so wildly and intentionally over the top that they become a barrel of laughs ('Driven to kill'). The nice thing about them all is that we can glean their nature very quickly, and 'When vows break' falls into the second category. There's no mistaking what this picture is, but for those who are receptive to everything Lifetime represents, it's suitably entertaining.
First things first, I can only commend the hair and makeup artists, and wardrobe, for their contributions - the cast look fantastic. Their appearances are bolstered by Seth Johnson's crisp, clear cinematography that lets every color pop out, while also bearing a soft glow that makes the picture easy on the eyes. If not essential and captivating - and unquestionably forced into a corner by the tenor of the feature - I think the performances that the cast turn in vary from fine to very good, with capable range and poise. Given the most time on screen as Lydia and Ella, of course Danielle C. Ryan and Christa B. Allen stand out the most, but it's a small joy to see Jaleel White here, too, among others.
All this is well and good; the writing is the real question mark. Chris Lancey's story is strong enough in the broad strokes, and Christine Conradt's screenplay. Without a doubt, however, 'When vows break' is classic Lifetime fare. The dialogue and scene writing actively decline any degree of subtlety, including frequent flashbacks in the first half, which mean that the cast in turn are coerced into displays of acting largely bereft of nuance. (Where it does shine through, it's like a beacon in a storm.) Plot development, too, is characterized by a straightforward ease that can only be Movie Magic. On the other hand, while the core of the narrative is filled with staples of Lifetime originals, there are also slight tinges of cleverness such that the plot goes in a direction I didn't anticipate, and the premise is teased out longer and more sharply than it otherwise may have been. I'm not saying that 'When vows break' is a must-see, but relative to some other content the network produces, there's some meaningful intelligence here. Kudos!
It's noteworthy and unfortunate that there's a measure of inelegance in the editing and sequencing. The climax and ending also feels distinctly rushed, smashed together with a certain gracelessness that makes the resolution sloppy. It kind of feels like these scenes were shot last, but time and resources ran short as the production schedule came to a close, so there wasn't much chance to rework it. Still, bearing in mind the typical indelicacies of Lifetime flicks, what weaknesses there are here aren't so substantial as to overshadow the value of the content. Nothing about this title will sway those who can't get on board with its brethren, yet it stands tall enough on its own merits that those open to the style will surely enjoy it. 'When vows break' doesn't break any molds, but is duly satisfying to pass the time on a quiet night.
