The Secret of Hidden Lake (TV 2006)

A woman returns to her small-town home to investigate father's death, which authorities considered a mere hunting accident.

Director:

Penelope Buitenhuis

Writer:

David Golden

Stars:

Rena Sofer, Winston Rekert, Linda Darlow

Cast

Cast overview:
Rena Sofer	...	Maggie Dolan
Winston Rekert	...	Frank Dolan
Linda Darlow	...	Alice Crandell
Adam Harrington	...	Sam
William B. Davis	...	Judge Landers
Bill Mondy	...	Zach Roth
Renae Morriseau	...	Sheriff Tillane
Kett Turton	...	Jack Ford Jr.
Dean Wray	...	Jack Ford Sr.
Jodelle Ferland	...	Young Maggie Dolan
Elfina Luk	...	Barb
Timothy Paul Perez	...	Dr. Perez
Christine Barrie	...	Maggie's mother

Storyline

When Maggie Dolan - Young, who works in a legal aid center in Chicago, hears here father Frank Dolan is in mortal danger, she returns after years to her birthplace, Hidden Lake; he recently retired as sheriff and apparently shot himself deer-hunting, but an autopsy shows he was murdered. Then she learns from reporter Zach Roth that dad was suspected of prisoner abuse. Her best friend before she left, Sam, then shows her the towns economy was largely taken over by development company Lorango, which owns the newspaper too, until it was stopped as Frank enforced legal licensing obligations; gradually more secrets from the past start to fit in and compromise just about everybody, and her life is threatened for real...

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Plot Keywords:

hunting | secret | conspiracy | hunter | shooting | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 October 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blindsided

Filming Locations:

Britannia Beach, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Front Street Pictures, Front Street Productions, Open Road Productions

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Blend of Terror and Mystery

This movie blends moderate terror with a first class mystery. Rena Sofer does a masterful job of playing the gutsy Maggie, who by turns metaphorically cavalierly prods rattlesnakes and then retreats in terror. She is an interesting and lovable character. She is not just mindless fodder for mayhem. I found myself shouting directions at the screen for her to take more caution.

The movie reminds me of Semilla's Sense Of Snow, in that you don't know whom you can trust. Every kindly action becomes suspect. The various actors manage to beautifully project simultaneous kindness and possible hidden malice.

It has a complex plot ending worthy of Ruth Rendell.

The movie is realistic. Most of Maggie's sleuthing actions lead nowhere. She has no magical powers of deduction. The villains are people you might find in the newspaper.

To me the movie appeared to be shot in BC Canada, simulating Colorado in the USA. The beautiful forests, and diffused overcast light, are an ever-present backdrop.