While celebrating her 20th wedding anniversary, still attractive Alexandra Paul (as Emily) notices an incredibly handsome young man is watching her outdoor party. Naturally, the solution to this problem is to invite sexy Corey Sevier (as Luke McElroy) to dinner. Although it initially startles Ms. Paul, preacher husband and aspiring televangelist J.C. MacKenzie (as Ted Wendell) hires Mr. Sevier as their handyman. Yes, he will come in handy. The muscular hunk moves onto the estate and pretends to read Shakespeare. We know who's going to copulate with Sevier when the lady of the house walks in on him shirtless. Sevier oozes sex appeal and washboard abs. Of course, this complicates Paul's "church lady" image and could ruin Mr. MacKenzie's religious career...
This "Lifetime" TV movie follows the well-worn "forbidden sex" theme mixed with religion formula. "Gospel of Deceit" is an unabashed "bad boy" sex fantasy for married women, and it certainly works on that level, with Sevier effortlessly bringing home the bacon. He looks good in and out of his shirt, and even gets to show a little cheek. Paul shows her skin, too, with a psychotic nude "sheet" scene that lowers performance levels. The story is ridiculous, but director Timothy Bond and his team do move it along quickly, taking advantage of each soap opera-type development without letting anything drag it down. The silliness gets worse as the plot get so tangled it becomes laughable. Writer John Benjamin Martin was astute in having Sevier think "Hamlet" was a comedy.
**** Gospel of Deceit (4/28/06) Timothy Bond ~ Alexandra Paul, J.C. MacKenzie, Corey Sevier, Zoie Palmer
