Secret Lives

Although modern in it's time frame, there is something haunting and unsettling from the opening scene, as in a classic Hitchcock movie of yesterday. Excellent performances by Daphne Zuniga and Duncan Regehr whose art work adds a lot of class to the movie. The cinematography is stylish and the music is haunting and first rate, more like you would hear in a cinema than on TV. The cops are not clever, but are they in Aruba? The twist in the end is a real shocker, and unexpected. Although the movie is definitely a Lifetime formula, what separates it is the style and performances, and a definite spooky atmosphere which is not often seen on TV. Finally, if you have ever been to the Pacific North West, this movie captures it beautifully and accurately. A classic!

Jill, an art professor who lives in Eugene, Oregon, finds out her husband Leonard had a life she didn't know about. His body is found near his fabulous house on an island off Washington. He is not wearing a shirt, yet it was in the 30s when he supposedly died. And even if he wanted to be macho, he had marks on his body that he didn't like people to see.

So Jill wants to find out the truth. So does Mike, but Sheriff Knowles (who is willing to cooperate with Jill) wishes Mike would stay out of the investigation. Someone with a BMW wants Jill to drop her search for the truth as well. This may be the same person making harassing phone calls, and possibly the person leaving the ominous notes.

Leonard supposedly embezzled $10 million from his company. This may be related to his death. He also had a St. Nicholas medallion which belonged to his father. Amazingly, with all the research on that medallion, Christmas is never mentioned!

This movie was in trouble when I realized my favorite scene was the one with Jill's beautiful gray and white tabby Cleo. In second place was the time Jill almost fell. This is a well-done stunt, whether Daphne Zuniga does it herself or not. The scene with the BMW provided some excitement, but for the most part this was boring until close to the end. Then this is something worth seeing--interesting plot twists, creepy music and an outstanding, chilling performance from the actor playing the likely killer (oh, we know by now this person did it--but no proof is ever given).

Daphne Zuniga is likable enough. Her lawyer, Shelby, on the other hand, is a witch--when the actress playing her doesn't seem to be reading her lines. Lisa Ryder seems more natural in the role later, but sometimes ends up too cutesy after the way she started out. Anne Openshaw stands out with her few lines as a bank teller who knew Leonard.

There is beautiful scenery in what is supposedly the American Northwest, although this was apparently filmed in Canada. People who like old-time Appalachian mountain music, the type used in historical programs such as those shown on PBS stations, might enjoy background music that sounds like dulcimer. I'm not an expert, but that's what I think it is.

Just your standard Lifetime woman-in-jep movie.

I am sorry, but this is not entirely convincing. The actors are good and almost perfect, the cinematography is outstanding, the music is fine, but there are many flaws in the script. Daphne Zuniga makes an excellent performance, but you must wonder at her lack of cleverness approaching stupidity. Duncan Regehr is more convincing, but he is too reassuring not to raise misgivings, which warning signs Zuniga misses altogether. It is a fine plot, but George Mendeluk commits a deadly mistake which Hitchcock never would have made: he doesn't put the audience into the whole picture, keeping it insufficiently informed. Of course, Zuniga should have confided in the police from the beginning and told him everything, but instead she would trust the police even less than that insurance agent, which was her greatest mistake and the greatest flaw of the script. But then of course the course of action would have been less dramatic. It's a good thriller but not entirely satisfactory.

Jill Thompson (Daphne Zuniga) lost her husband ten years ago, leaving her little except debts. Insurance agent Mike McCoy tells her that her husband had actually died a week earlier. She discovers that he lived a life of comfort and secrets. Shelby (Lisa Ryder) is her lawyer friend.

It makes no sense that she would trust Mike or not call the cops after the various incidents. At the very least, an insurance agent would want whatever money as a matter of good business. Even an honest agent can't be on her side. She's too stupid. In these movies, the protagonist never calls the cops. That's bad writing. The turn is not inevitable but it's not compelling. As for the ending, her car makes no sense unless the girlfriend sabotaged it. In which case, he wouldn't know that and his slow walk would make no sense. It's a bunch of non-sense anyways.

'Secret Lives' With Daphne Zuniga and Duncan Regehr.

A great movie, pretty pretty good. Daphne Zuniga is a very awesome actress. 'Secret Lives' is directed by George Mendeluk.

I think 'Secret Lives' it's a pretty movie, thrilling, and a really great plot. Excellent acting, ALL THE WAY !!

When art professor Jill Thompson (DAPHNE ZUNIGA OF "AMERICAN DREAMS" AND "MELROSE PLACE") receives news that her hubby has just been killed, she is stunned — she thought he had died more than 10 years ago! Now she goes digging into her spouse's secret past and discovers infidelity, embezzlement and other horrors. You'll never guess how this thriller turns out...watch and see!

**** / 5