Lethal Seduction (TV Movie 2015)
BASIC PLOT:
Mark (
Caleb Ruminer) is an amazing kid, with everything to look forward to. He's won a full scholarship to Princeton, and he can't wait to get out from under his mother's over protective thumb. Tanya (
Amanda Detmer), Mark's mother, doesn't mean to be a smothering harpie, but since the death of her husband, all she can think about is keeping her son safe. Mark is determined to spend his last summer before college, hanging out with his friend Walter (
Sam Lerner), and sowing some wild oats. So, when a chance meeting at the hardware store, leads to a sexual adventure with a seductive, older woman named Carissa (
Dina Meyer), Mark thinks he's found the perfect summer fling. But Carissa is no one's trifle. She's determined to keep Mark for herself, and to stop Tanya's meddling once and for all. Mark's sexual inexperience makes it's hard for him to see Carissa's erotic enervations for what they are, a snare, to keep Mark close.
Can Mark sever the hold Carissa has on him, in time to save himself?
WHAT WORKS:
*
Dina Meyer's Carissa is both ominous and sexual. She draws you in, much as she does Mark (
Caleb Ruminer), and makes you want to see more. Her scene in the bathroom, where she smashes the mirror, is outstanding.
*Walter is played to perfection by
Sam Lerner. His goofy one liners are cinematic gold! Even his voicemail message is hilarious. In every way, Walter is the quintessential sidekick.
*I don't know who the location scout was, but they deserve praise. The juxtaposition between Carissa's house, which is cold and commanding, and Tanya's house, which is warm and smothering, is a great visual metaphor for the two women's personalities. The same can be said for the shark tank, where Tanya and Randy (
Brian Thomas Smith) work. It's beautiful, but also dangerous, maybe even deadly, traits that can also be applied to Carissa.
*Finally, a TV movie with a decent trailer! Also, great cover art, which is also a rarity.
*Very well cast by
Arlie Day. Everyone here is believable, which is a triumph in a melodrama, so kudos to Arlie.
*The music by
Will Champlin and
Stephen Gallagher is above average, and adds something special to this made-for-tv movie. It's fun summer music, which sets the stage.
WHAT DOESN'T WORK:
*There's not much here to complain about, if you understand the art form of melodrama. The only thing remotely implausable is the relationship between Mark (
Caleb Ruminer) and Tanya (
Amanda Detmer). Even the best teenage boy, probably would have rebelled against his mother's grating interference, by the time he's 18.
TO RECOMMEND, OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IS THE QUESTION:
*IF and that's a big IF, you understand and appreciate the art form of melodrama, you'll like this. It's a more sexual and violent take on Mrs. Robinson, but
Dina Meyer makes it her own, and succeeds beautifully.
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.
