Portés disparus

I like a good mystery but this was ridiculous! A hotel would leave a room unentered & uncleaned--for 20 yrs.?? I doubt that! I like realistic, not a fairy tale!

Alex McPherson is the host of a podcast who returns to her hometown of Harrington in Pennsylvania seeking answers to the disappearance of her school friend, Gina DeSavio who went missing twenty years ago in 1998. She teams up with the local newspaper, The Chronicle, to research the case from old case files and interviews with locals to try and find out what happened to Gina. She and newspaper editor-in-chief, Drew, have different outlooks on research and using technology but end up working together and striking a friendship.

Alison Sweeney from Murder, she baked stars in another murder mystery series which is less light and not centred around cakes, and it's a fairly watchable debut episode which keeps one interested, though it can get a bit confusing with all the suspects. It can get complex. Plus one twist towards the end appeared out of nowhere and our fearless duo seemed to stumble on it too suddenly. Still, it's an enjoyable ride that passes the time adequately.

6/10 - another just-average Hallmark feature presentation, but it is good to see Allison Sweeney again

The ending was the worst part and cartoonish in execution. Anyone looking for a romantic subplot will also be disappointed. The setting and first half of the movie were very good, so this was an opportunity squandered. I do like the lead actors, though.

This is a typical Hallmark production. Like easy listening music, staring out the window watching it snow, graham crackers and milk. Brown paper packages tied up with string - these are a few of my favorite things. . .

Nothing "edgy", no profound social relevance, not a political message in sight. No mutilated bodies, no characters bonking each other for no apparent reason and no unnecessary strings of profanity (Oh, did I already say it's not "edgy" ?).

It's a "lay on the sofa and watch on Saturday when there's nothing better to do" kind of movie.

It is what it is and I enjoyed it as such.