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Hit & Run (2015)
With Friends Like Vanessa...
Involved in a minor traffic accident, high-flying lawyer, Heather Williams, assumes an amicable exchange of details and an offer to settle the repair bill, will be an end to the matter. But reckons without the adhesive properties of Vanessa Miller.
As viewers, privy to Vanessa's homicidal tendencies in her former life, we're certain she is Bad News and likely Up To No Good, so it isn't long before the seemingly bland, but perky newcomer has morphed into a drill sergeant-limpet cross.
Showing up uninvited to Heather's dinner á deux with P. I. (and beau-in-waiting,) Jack Riley, and badgering her reluctant BFF into helping with job hunting, jealous Vanessa goes into attack mode when Ray Johnson, Heather's ex, tries to rekindle their romance. As a successful real estate agent, Ray is well-versed in closing a deal, and considers Heather's 'Leave me alone or I'll call the police' as opening negotiations.
Apparently keen to apologize, Rachel arranges to meet Ray at a property he's showing for absent clients. Initially, she tells him Heather is crazy in love and wants him back, then in a dizzying 180 degree turn, seduces him in the kitchen.
Happily, Ray has an ego the size of a gasworks and sees nothing amiss in being pinned to the gas hob by a woman who'd previously threatened him with a sharp implement. Unhappily, Rachel has spiked his merlot with a fast-acting poison (and who doesn't carry potassium cyanide in their purse?) that leaves him gasping like a landed fish and the. Vendors' lovely home, a crime scene.
Between her troubles at work and the discovery that Vanessa is not who or what she seems, Heather needs to work fast to keep both her boss happy, and her social circle from dwindling further.
Josie Davis is unflappable and efficient as the beleaguered Heather, while Caroline Cave does such a nice line in unhinged menace, I instantly feared for the health of Heather's pet budgerigars. The ever-lovely Sebastian Spence as Ray Johnson could just as easily sell snow to a Laplander as a four-bed Colonial, but was bumped off far too soon IMO.
Accidental Obsession provides pleasing distraction and the valuable lesson that following a fender-bender with Vanessa, one should run like the wind.
G-Spot (2005)
A quirky discovery
Having taken 'any job as long as it pays' to support her dying mother's care, 30-something Gigi returns to Hollywood, keen to revive her acting career. But in a town that measures female age in dog years, she soon discovers the gap between Pretty Woman and Driving Miss Daisy is vanishingly small.
Aided and abetted by friends Stella and Livia, also circling the outskirts of showbiz, Gigi's comeback, both professionally and personally is an uphill struggle. Dating her own stalker, fending off 'C' movie producers and being action hero Rick Radcliff's 'plus one' is not what she had in mind.
The 'civilian' in the group, Roxy, has problems of her own - raising child prodigy, Sasha, as a single parent, since her now ex-husband, Paul, went off to find himself and discovered he's 'a lesbian, trapped in a man's body'.
G-Spot has some similarities with comedy/drama Cold Feet and Last Tango in Halifax with misunderstandings, missed opportunities and failed relationships littering the paths of the main characters. Shaving years off her age ends Stella's affair with a potential 'Mr. Right'; Gigi recovers from her addiction to the womanising Payne, only to be dumped by her long-distance lover.
Brigitte Bako is the wide-eyed yet resilient Gigi, Heather Hanson is Stella, veering between world-weariness and grim optimism, while Stephanie Moore's Livia self-medicates her disappointment with life and love.
Roxy (Kimberly Huie) and Paul (Sebastian Spence) are the bright spot in the romance stakes; strengthening family ties and adapting to their new situation. Although way too much of a challenge for their marriage guidance counselor, a couple they meet at a weekend retreat convince them if you love someone, obstacles can be overcome.
Passion's Web (2007)
More spinned against...?
Prison psychologist, Janet Tarr, is asked to evaluate a long-term inmate in the process of applying for parole. Contrary to the usual run of interviewees, Janet finds Robert intelligent and articulate, giving unexpected responses to her stock questions. Disarmed by his apparent candour, she ignores protocol and offers some personal details in return.
Janet's home life, already impacted by single parenthood, is further disrupted by an emergency at the prison; Robert is in the infirmary, the victim of a beating that almost killed him. Distressed by his condition, Janet oversteps the mark in making both intimate contact and promises regarding his future. Revealing her attraction to Robert at a family gathering, Janet's sister is horrified, warning 'He could be the worst mistake of your life.'
Despite the Greek chorus questioning her motives, judgment and sanity, Janet continues to fight Robert's corner, even arranging further psych tests to prove his worth - 'You talk to him and there's like a whole person sitting there,.' - firmly believing he deserves a second chance. Since Robert has other supporting references and the law on his side, his parole is eventually secured.
Ironically, Robert demonstrates greater authority in the prison setting, identifying Janet's latent desire for risk-taking that would mean dismissal for her and damage his chances for release if their affair was discovered. But once on the outside, a shift in the balance of power sees Robert reacting with frustration and suspicion to Janet's treatment of him as more 'project' than partner.
As predicted by the prison governor, Robert's slide into recidivism is soon apparent, but whether in response to society's prejudice, or as continuation of an interrupted life of crime, is open to question.
As a woman loving 'not wisely, but too well,' Julie Warner skilfully charts Janet's path from world-weary professional, through giddy lover to optimistic, but ultimately betrayed mentor.
Kudos to Sebastian Spence for his expression of Robert's complexity; the character's implied dark side and hidden depths making every word and gesture worth a closer look.
Criminal Intent (2005)
A Tangled Web
Lawyer Susan Grace is considering an unusual request. Formerly a specialist in criminal cases, she most recently represented a friend, Angela, in her divorce from high-profile businessman, Devon Major. Now charged with Angela's murder, Devon appeals to Susan to help him clear his name.
In agreeing to his desperate plea, Susan finds herself going head to head with DA, Kirsten Sorensen. The pair have crossed swords many times in the past; Kirsten's dogged insistence on victory at all costs has resulted in a string of reprimands, instigated by Susan. Judge Greenwood referees their heated exchanges with both the patience of a saint and the wisdom of Solomon.
Kirsten is convinced the case is cut and dried and the trial merely a formality, but a visit from a Treasury Agent persuades her there may be more to the incident than meets the eye. The IRS has bigger fish to fry; the DA's office should cut Devon Major loose. Kirsten's never bought the idea of the self-styled widower being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Is he instead a compulsive liar with links to the Russian Mob, tying up loose ends before fleeing beyond the reach of extradition?
There is a twist, of course, which casts both lawyer and client in a new light and allows the DA and Treasury agent to brainstorm in the way of 'We know they did it, they know we know they did it, but how can we prove it?'
Vanessa Angel is the seemingly conflicted defence counsel, taking on the case of a grieving 'ex' with Linda Purl as the DA, returning serve with sharp instincts and Rottweiler determination. Sebastian Spence completes the ruthless triangle as the entrepreneur of dubious integrity, exchanging business suits for prison scrubs with disturbing ease.
My Mother's Future Husband (2014)
A cute and entertaining comedy-drama
Rene and Headly Henderson are a close mother and daughter combo, but you can have too much of a good thing, so Headly resolves to find her widowed mother a boyfriend by summer rather than risk finding Rene stowed away in her suitcase when she leaves for college.
Following a disastrous blind date and a failed attempt to upload Rene's profile to an online dating site, Headly decides to source potential suitors in the local park. It could be argued that accosting random chaps as a way of netting a life partner for one's mother is a tad unorthodox. Nevertheless, Eric, Scott and Andrew accept the old 'it's for a school project' line at face value and cheerfully supply their personal details. Rene is similarly persuaded and her video interview is forwarded to the chosen men.
Instructed to visit the bistro where Headly's mother works, Bachelors One and Two make their pitch to a mystified and unimpressed Rene. Fortunately, two Mr Wrongs do make a right and Andrew, wisely arriving with his young son, Connor, as wingman, is found, like baby bear's porridge, to be 'just right'. Very right, in fact. So a date is made and it's all systems 'go'.
Meanwhile, Headly has followers of her own; Bodie Miller, star football player, attracting much female attention and Willis; computer geek and long-time torch carrier. Headly is flattered by the one and completely oblivious to the other.
As ever, the course of true love hasn't grasped the concept of 'running smooth' and a combination of cold feet, burned fingers and bruised hearts sees the lovers retiring from the field of play.
If every Jack is to have their Jill by prom night, it'll take apologies, revelations and declarations of undying devotion to set things straight.
Matreya Fedor is lovely as the enthusiastic matchmaker, Headly, while Lea Thompson strikes the perfect balance as Rene, a woman ready to embrace the future while continuing to respect her past.
Ben Wilkinson and Lochlyn Munro play the also-ran bachelors and Sebastian Spence ably rounds out the trio as sweet and sensitive Dad, Andrew.
Crossing (2007)
Entertaining and thought provoking
Keen to carry out what he believes to be his father's dying wish, Daniel Cimmerman (Sebastian Spence) becomes engaged to the daughter of a business associate and starts the process of putting the family business on the straight and narrow. Wisely leaving the details of flowers and bridesmaids to Anika (Tara Wilson,) Daniel proposes acquiring a controlling interest in businessman Latham Hopkins' affairs by settling a substantial debt.
Ambushed in his way to the drop-off, Daniel's androgynous attacker, Bernie (Bif Naked) sparks a latent desire for cross-dressing. In an even shadier area of the underworld, Bernie relays this quirky tidbit to Uncle Bunny (A C Peterson) who, tiring of his nickel-and-dime extortion rackets, strong-arms his 'surrogate' daughter Devina (Crystal Bublé) into blackmailing Daniel for even bigger bucks.
Using the villain's favourite carrot 'just this one last job', Devina is positioned first as the stripper at Daniel's stag do and then 'party girl on her night off' who shows up at his hotel room, armed with all the props required to persuade Daniel to both loosen and 'fess up. The hidden camera will do the rest.
Daniel and Devina are two sides of the same coin; shoehorned into playing a role over which they have little control. Straitjacketed by family obligations (in Daniel's case) and a manipulative father-figure (in Devina's) small wonder the pair gravitate toward each other.
Given the fetishes that Devina has had to indulge with previous clients, she's accommodating of Daniel's passion for lacy underwear; an attitude he's unlikely to meet in the marital bed, judging by his fiancee's reaction to his (half) joking suggestion that he wear the lingerie she quite clearly rejects.
Devina appears to find a saviour in boyfriend Tom (Warren Christie) but a visit to his tony parents' house reveals him as a control freak in training; like father like son. Latham Hopkins (Michael Kopsa) is just Uncle Bunny with a classier kitchen.
With this level of double-dealing on display and all interested parties converging for the rescheduled drop-off, it's inevitable there will be blood.
Sebastian Spence is excellent as the conflicted gangster's son, combining the hard-nosed attitude of the former banker with the vulnerability of a man caught out by his own honesty. Daniel's revelation to his long-time friend of his guilty pleasure is especially poignant.
Crystal Bublé is equally convincing as Devina; her seasoned hooker sitting with ease alongside the would-be photographer, yearning for a life of her own.
'Crossing is definitely worth seeing to appreciate the solid performances of all concerned, in particular those playing the star-crossed lovers.
Daniel's Daughter (2008)
"You Had Me At Fried Clams"
A made for TV movie, this little gem, made under the Hallmark banner, follows a tried and tested formula; young woman engaged to unsuitable suitor realises, after a period of soul-searching and real-life examples of following one's heart, that her future lies in her home town with a good man who will treasure every moment in her company.
Daniel's dutiful daughter is Cate Madighan (Laura Leighton), editor-in-chief of Perfect magazine, returning to her childhood home to settle her late father's estate, despite his having maintained radio silence for the past twenty years. This requires taking time out from planning her wedding to high-powered executive, Stewart (Barry Flatman), who diarises their every move and views their marriage as a business merger rather than the union of soul mates we know Cate deserves.
Thank goodness for the arrival of Conner Bailey (Sebastian Spence) who hits on Cate during her first visit to the local hostelry, unaware that she is Promised To Another. (I should point out that my co-viewers have indicated they would cheerfully throw over any number of fiancés for the chance of getting their mitts on Mr Spence, but that is by the by.)
Cate's PA/confidante Jeffrey (Brandon Firla), accompanies her to the charming backwater, and although he initially balks at the rustic interior decor and is wary of his colleague's attraction to Conner, eventually discovers the joys of the local antique store and hand-crafted soft furnishings. He's also the voice of reason when Cate appears to be settling for cold-blooded New York executive instead of warm-hearted small town attorney.
Local colour is provided by Cate's old friend Fiona (Kelli Fox) and her rambunctious family and Donahue and Cavanaugh (Martin Doyle and Derek McGrath), Daniel's erstwhile band mates whose feud, also of twenty years' standing, threatens to derail the memorial service Cate has planned. Fortunately, a disagreement that seemed to require the services of a professional mediator is finally resolved with a quiet word in the pub, thanks to Conner.
Daniel's Daughter is a simple story of likeable characters, a photogenic, autumnal setting and a happy ending, which in times like these, may be what we all need.