False Pretenses (2004) (TV)

User Rating:

5.2/10   

Director:

Jason Hreno

Writer (WGA):

Tom Swale (written by)

Release Date:

25 October 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller | Drama

Plot:

A false investor swindles a businessman that, believing to make easy money, mortgages all its goods in the false operation...

Cast

Peta Wilson	...	Dianne / Dee Dee
Stewart Bick	...	Michael
Melanie Nicholls-King	...	Cerise
Conrad Pla	...	Nando
Francis X. McCarthy	...	Chasen Boggs
Anthony Lemke	...	Randal Ackers
David Gow	...	Norm
Jennifer Morehouse	...	Paige Segal
Brian D. Wright	...	Fred The Manager
Miranda Handford	...	Laura
Andrew Johnston	...	Detective Wallace
Lois Dellar	...	Vault Clerk
Cas Anvar	...	Nabil
Brian Wrench	...	Rand's Laywer
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Marie-Anne Alepin	...	Chandra
Giovanni Cipolla	...	Airport Lounge Manager
Ian Finlay	...	D.A.
Susan Glover	...	Art Collector
Pierre Lenoir	...	Judge
Paula MacPherson	...	Rental Agent
Liz MacRae	...	Art Gallery Owner
David L. McCallum	...	Bank Manager
Sebastien Roberts	...	Assistant
Cristina Rosato	...	Eva
Andreya Sullivan	...	Donnelle
Lita Tresierra	...	Teenage Girl Waitress

Also Known As:

Mauvaises intentions (Canada: French title)

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

Power

A good flick from "under the radar"

I'm a little surprised there are no comments for this film. Perhaps it hasn't been shown as much previously as would be assumed, although made three years ago.

It showed recently on a weekday, when I ordinarily would not have been watching TV, much less "Lifetime."

But every so often, doing some business with European colleagues, I have to be on the phone dealing with some customer emergency from, say, back and forth between 7 and ll a.m. there - which is midnight to 4 a.m. my time. On some days following, I might "veg out" for a couple of hours when I ordinarily wouldn't, and just flip on the set.

That's what happened just as this film began, and I became interested as I got into it. I knew nothing of Peta Wilson, never having seen her "... Nikita" program, or any of the other thespians.

But for some reason, I found it far more engrossing and interesting than typical TV flicks. She presented an attractive, likable presence, and the other characters were more believable than you'd expect. Even the "bad guys" weren't the over-the-top type normally found.

Of course, it took a major!!! coincidence for the crux of the story to unfold, but it wasn't completely unbelievable. It occurs in Midland TX (I don't recall if the location from which she traveled to reach there - her original home city - was identified, or the distance implied).

Locations for this film aren't shown in this site, but I'd wager my net worth it's probably Vancouver, B.C. It seems all "Lifetime" flicks are now made there - and it would probably be wise to invest in stocks of firms with hotels and restaurants there, simply on the basis of "Lifetime movie" casts and crews which have to be visiting the area at any given time.

***Minor spoiler***

Peta's character leaves town, and her previously yuppie life after her husband commits suicide following being swindled by a slick con artist "investment guru." Her auto breaks-down in Midland (again, only by pure chance) and she remains there in order to be able to get work to pay for car repairs - for which the shop owner trusts her. She cuts her flowing "red tresses" to a shorter, blonde style (meant as a symbol of her life's change, and now also Ms. Wilson's usual look). With her long fiery red hair now short and blonde, when she bumps into the con man, there is no disbelief when he doesn't recognize her. She had seen him just one time, briefly - but as the instrument of her beloved husband's demise, she recognizes him immediately. Obviously she cannot help but think of how she can use this chance occurrence to gain revenge and retribution.

This is a film where you have a pretty good sense of the direction it will take, and even possible twists which may evolve. But, again, unlike most of these films, you're not entirely certain, and there are still surprises along the way.

And best of all, the ending flows comfortably with the preceding events in the story - without unbelievable chases, knife wieldings, shootouts and the frequent, excessive histrionics films of this genre often present.

I'd even provide it a "9,'" considering the genre, the way the story was presented, and the engaging lead and good supporting cast.

A good film which seems to have slipped "under the radar."

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Caught this film again, by pure chance, a bit over a year after seeing first. Enjoyed it a second time, and find my opinion did not change at all from what I entered last year.