THE STRANGER GAME (TV Movie 2006)
BASIC PLOT:
Paul Otis (
Barclay Hope) is a jealous, cheating tool. Full stop. That's basically the whole movie. He thinks it's ok to work for a super model (
Sonya Salomaa), think about having affair with her, but it's not ok to have a super hot guy as a manny. Meanwhile, Joanna Otis (
Mimi Rogers), wife and mother, is a door mat, who accepts her husband's tantrums, his cheating, his indifference to their son, Sam (
Casey Dubois), his inability to grow up and take responsibility in his life.
Charlie King (
David Orth) comes along as manny, makes their life perfect, eases Joanna's burdens, but Paul stomps his feet, rails at Charlie, and finally, Charlie retaliates.
WHAT WORKS:
*NOTHING!
WHAT DOESN'T WORK:
*Why does the father, Paul Otis (
Barclay Hope), hate Charlie King (
David Orth) the Manny? This movie never gives a reason for his hatred. The manny is perfect! He makes their lives easier, so why does he hates him? This lack of explanation is why the movie is so low rated. It's not for the acting, this movie has quality actors, it's the script. I've said it once, and I'll say it again, CHARACTERS NEED MOTIVATIONS! Without them, the viewer's suspension of disbelief is interrupted, and they get bored, even in melodramas.
*
Mimi Rogers is miscast in this role. She's doesn't play door mat well, just about anybody else would have been better.
*Joanna Otis (
Mimi Rogers) might put up with one infidelity, she might put up with her husband working for a super model he's enamored with, but she would demand some reciprocation. She's a business woman, and needs someone competent to help with the family chores. I doubt she'd put up with her husband's petty jealousies, certainly not after his past behavior. Women expect men to act like spoiled boys, but because we put up with it, we expect some consideration. This is a disappointing outing from
Cynthia Weil and
Judy Skelton. Women usually write women characters better than this.
*"He's not who I thought he was, "says Joanna to Barbara Leaf, her co-worker (
Catherine Lough Haggquist). WHY?! Because a twelve year old misinterpreted a story? Because you saw him smoking?! OMFG! SMOKING=EVIL?! REALLY?! WHERE ARE THESE CHARACTERS MOTIVATIONS?! You can't have characters change mid movie FOR NO REASON!
*"The Stranger Game," really? That's the name of this movie?
*Paul Otis (
Barclay Hope) is such an unlikable character, you can't root for him. On the other hand, Charlie King (
David Orth), the manny, is very sympathetic. We, as viewer's, are supposed to be pulling for the family, but the only likable characters are Sam (
Casey Dubois), the son, and Louis, the dog (
Doolittle).
TO RECOMMEND, OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IS THE QUESTION:
*Please DON'T watch this movie! If you're looking for a fun melodrama about Mannies, try "
Une famille en sursis... (2017)". It's great fun, and succeeds where this fails.
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.
