Mystery Island

I usually enjoy watching Elizabeth Henstridge. Agents of Shield was good. Her Christmas movie, Christmas at the Ritz on Hallmark, was lovely. This movie was a mess. Boring, no tension, no real character development, and the giggling by the two female leads was like nails on a chalkboard. Appropriate for teens and 20 something's but not grown women. Ridiculous chases, unbelievable switches in "who did it", weak plot, lack of real connection to anyone. Frankly, this movie put me to sleep. A lovely deep sleep. Beautiful scenery and the house was wonderful. I slept through the middle but watched the end and do not feel that I missed anything. I went back and ran it again just to be certain, but sleeping was a better idea. Hallmark clunker.

So disappointing. I was really looking forward to this one based on the advertisements... Seemed like it could be a Knives Out, Clue, 1980s Fantasy Island mashup. Instead, it was just very bad. The acting is terrible - stilted and forced all around. The female lead has no range at all, maintaining the same stupid and usually inappropriate smirk throughout the entire film. The male lead is better by a hair and could possibly be decent with a different actress but I don't know that I'd count on it. The rest of the cast is only marginally better but the movie doesn't really give anyone a chance to shine. The story was choppy and disjointed, downright ridiculous at points, and dull, dull, dull. It's truly a shame because, while you know you're not getting world renowned writing or acting with Hallmark originals, the story did have potential to be an enjoyable mystery. The one that premiered the week prior, Mystery in G Major with Tamara Mowry, was super amazingly good. I'm hoping that series gets picked up and this one does not, at least not without a complete cast overhaul and different writing team.

This movie was a perfect way to catch up on my sleep; 2 hours of total boredom! The whole premise was overwhelmingly ridiculous, and the acting was terrible, and totally unbelievable. I certainly hope that The Hallmark Channel doesn't have any plans to turn it into a regular series, because there's no way that they could make anything worse than this was. The setting was the only thing that made this even remotely watchable, but it was exceedingly difficult to stay awake long enough to watch this. I'm usually a fan of the Hallmark Channel films, but this one might make me swear off of them for a while.

What could be more fun than going to an immersive mystery island. Here, the rich pay $10k a night to dress up in black tie, eat fab food, enjoyed bottomless tumblers of cocktails and try to solve a murder mystery. Dr. Emilia Priestly has arrived to this island with her pal Baroness Jane. Alcott. Emilia is a psychiatrist for the Metropolitan police in London. After a terrifying encounter with a subject, she takes some time off to pivot. Does she need to rethink her career?

Once they arrive to Mystery Island, they meet the other well-appointed guests, that is after Emilia bumps into and meets the dishy Detective Jason Trent. They are all the original investors of Mystery Island. (Although in the photo of the original investors there is also a fun cameo of two fan-favorites-I will not spoil!). However, the founder of Mystery Island, John Murtaugh, is a recluse and did not come out to the island.

This sets up this Hallmark movie for a very clever 123 minutes of fun, clues, and mystery. This is a wonderfully over the top movie. All the actors take their role and make it dramatic and memorable. More than that, the ending is a very VERY Christie-Like ending. Most of all, this movie does not take itself too seriously. There are plenty of jokes about mystery writers versus detective work. That was entertaining.

If you love mystery, this is great movie to watch. If you are weary of the baker/caterer/matchmaker sleuth who breaks into other people's homes etc then this is for you. This movie is luxurious, well-written and well-acted. There are enough suspects without it being too confusing. Yes, I figured out the whodunit early on--but I didn't have all the details put together.

I have already rewatched it and still found it fascinating.

It isn't that hard to write a decent mystery. So, why did they give us this mess? Picking up evidence without gloves...Running around a jungle in high heels... "Stealthily" following a suspect wearing bright colors...sneaking around the open floor plan mansion in an over the top way.

The acting was over the top, the clothes were ugly and what little affinity you felt for some of the characters was wasted with the poor script.

While the idea had much promise...we can only hope there isn't a sequel. Or, maybe they scrap this mess and start over fresh with new writers, actors, set...new everything!