Not My Life

Given that eventually you discover a serial killer, the only thing you need to ask is "which one". It isn't obvious and it could be either/or. Its actually a very entertaining film albeit one which becomes obvious part way thru as to the identity of the individual who enjoys killing and why that person enjoys killing. Sadly, like most of these films in the modern era too many have to die before the murderer is caught, but if you can stand the tension-which is there, this is a good thriller for an evening provided the kids aren't around

The housewife Alison Morgan (Meredith Monroe) lives in a comfortable house in the suburbs and is happily married with Dr. Steve Morgan (Ari Cohen). She has a heart condition treated by her husband and she has amnesia from her past, when her house caught fire and was burned to the ground. Alison has frequent visions and while driving, she distracts herself with a vision and has a minor car accident. Dr. Jennifer Prasad (Iris Paluly) treats her and keeps her under observation at the hospital. She is submitted to several medical exams and Dr. Prasad does not identify any heart condition in Alison. Her best friend Janet (Ellie Harvie) convinces Alison to have a second opinion, and she looks for Dr. Prasad, keeping secret from her husband. Soon she learns that she does not have a heart condition, and she is using an illegal drug that is erasing her memory. Alison seeks out the private investigator Jack Kruegher (Michael Woods) to investigate her husband and herself, and soon he learns that they are not who they say they are. Further, Alison is in danger since her husband is a criminal.

"Not My Life" (2006) is a great thriller made for TV, meaning with a limited budget. Meredith Monroe is a sweet actress tailored for the role of Alison Morgan. Ari Cohen is also great, shifting from a loving husband to a psychopath along the plot. The screenplay is simple, but very well developed. The conclusion has a happy end, like most television movies. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Vida Roubada" ("Stolen Life")

This starts out kind of silly -- one can't believe that the life of leading character Alison Morgan (Meredith Monroe) can possibly be as happy and contented as is shown in the first, rather saccharine 20 minutes -- but as the film progresses it gains strength and power. Alison finds out that her "amnesia" is actually a cover-up for some dark secrets in her own past and that of her husband Steve (a nicely understated performance by Ari Cohen). It's a pretty obvious variation on "Gaslight" but within the confines of that classic thriller trope Paul A. Birkett's script is refreshingly inventive and original, and John Terlesky's direction is straightforward and avoids some of the obvious visual clutter other Lifetime directors have indulged in in an attempt to be "creative." Lifetime ran this just before the 2007 version of "Sybil" probably because they're both stories about mentally discombobulated women, but I found this one considerably more entertaining.

This film draws you in quickly. Although I felt sure that I knew what the basic plot elements were, I was wrong. The acting was above-average and the ending was quite surprising. Just when you think you know what the ending will be, it takes another turn--almost a prerequisite for Lifetime Movies!

However, I found the plot to be a bit unbelievable. I don't think it was very realistic, but it didn't detract from the movie too much, as you might expect.

I enjoyed this film because it kept up a good pace throughout and kept me guessing. I never once looked at the clock, wondering how much longer I had to endure. I was entertaining three different possible endings for this film, almost right up until the last few minutes. All in all, it was not a bad way to spend a couple of hours on a cold winter's night.

Yes, there are some plot holes in the story, and the main actors look like the Wish versions of Claire Danes and Patrick Wilson, but overall I found the movie pretty darn enjoyable, and most of the acting was decent.

Put it on if you want to watch something that will let your brain switch off.