Recipe for Revenge

Normally I enjoy the Harlequin movies. This wasn't one I enjoyed.

Kim Huffman plays a caterer who, while helping out a friend (Lori Hallier), witnesses her murder and that of her boyfriend's at the hands of a prominent local personality (Corbin Bernsen). As soon as the fact that she's a witness is publicized, she's in danger and a police detective (Alex Carter) is assigned to her.

This was intended to be a mix of mystery, comedy, and drama, but due to poor direction, it doesn't come off. Though we aren't told this, there are actually two plots going on simultaneously, one which really had nothing to do with anything, so from the beginning, the audience is going in the wrong direction. When it's finally revealed that there is a second plot, it's easy to figure out.

Part of the problem, besides the direction, is a poor performance by Hugh Thompson as the neighbor. He's supposed to be shy, not mentally challenged.

It's a shame because this is a charming cast - besides Huffman, there is the rugged, handsome Carter and Corbin Bernsen.

The last five minutes or so of this film were pretty sexy, so I gave it a 3.