The writing was OK, but god I can't get over the terrible acting. The lead actress had a very weak, timid and soft voice that definitely wasn't right for the character. Scenes when she was supposed to raise her voice it seemed like it was barely a whisper. She was supposed to be "bipolar" and a bit "violent" and the way she would touch people when being so called "aggressive" was awkward and like a middle school girl trying to intimidate Laila Ali. The other actors in the movie were good, it was the lead actress Yvonne that was awful. She's like a buck soaking wet and she was able to overpower someone and intimidate them in a disagreement so she can push them down the stairs... Yeah right! SUCKED!
16 Reviews
The girl he met online misrepresents people with bipolar disorder.
natew380023 February 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I have read the preview information before watching this movie. This movie is misinforming the viewers about those who suffer from bipolar disorder. The villain is supposed to be a young "bipolar woman". First error- people are not Bipolar. They may have Bipolar disorder, but they should not be defined as their disorder. Second, the behaviors that the movie demonstrates as 'Bipolar' are actually characteristic of BPD- Borderline Personality Disorder and ASPD- Anti-Social Personality Disorder. The are similarities between personality disorders like (BPD & ASPD) and mood disorders (Bipolar, SAD, Depression), but the these are not the same disorders. Gillian "the bipolar" is actually portraying serious psychotic behaviors that are typical of BPD & ASPD, but not suffering from bipolar disorder. This movie is horribly misrepresenting all people who have bipolar disorder. It did very effectively stigmatized all who suffer bipolar disorder as psychopaths. Unfortunately the uneducated public will believe this and further their misconceptions towards those with bipolar disorder. If anyone would really like to understand the bipolar disorder or other mood disorders then educate yourselves. There is a vast information base online where you can learn the truth.
Lead Actress is HORRIBLE
steenie-6539113 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Who casted the lady portraying Gillian?!? She's a horrible actress. It's like she's trying (and I emphasize TRYING) to sound like Marilyn Monroe. Her outbursts are ridiculous. The way she whispers her lines make her face punchable.
At first I didn't think I'd be able to make it through but at least the supporting actors weren't bad. But why was a full grown adult still living with her "mother" who she treats like absolute crap. I would've kicked her out ASAP. Did I mention the lead actress sucks? Holy cow. I cringed every time she spoke. Wish I could seal up that tiny little mouth. Watch at your own discretion but be advised, you will get annoyed quite quickly.
At first I didn't think I'd be able to make it through but at least the supporting actors weren't bad. But why was a full grown adult still living with her "mother" who she treats like absolute crap. I would've kicked her out ASAP. Did I mention the lead actress sucks? Holy cow. I cringed every time she spoke. Wish I could seal up that tiny little mouth. Watch at your own discretion but be advised, you will get annoyed quite quickly.
Very poor story and bad acting.
ivobg26 March 2019
Watching it on my cable while I type this, and 45 minutes in the movie I already got annoyed as hell.
Nothing interesting happens, just random silly situations with no suspense and no development of characters. You just watch and don't get any idea what this movie wants to tell you.
The lead acting girl is one of the worst actresses I've ever seen. Sorry.
Avoid this movie, it's a total waste of time.
Nothing interesting happens, just random silly situations with no suspense and no development of characters. You just watch and don't get any idea what this movie wants to tell you.
The lead acting girl is one of the worst actresses I've ever seen. Sorry.
Avoid this movie, it's a total waste of time.
Inaccurate portrayal of bipolar
mercedesah24 February 2017
What the character portrays is more like borderline personality disorder, not bipolar, and many people with borderline aren't like that, I speak from experience with both. Borderline is a wide range of different symptoms coming from childhood pain, some are more normal and functional, some are less. People who have bipolar are mostly not so violent, just feeling up and being creative, or depressed maybe creative, sensitive, intelligent, sleep issues, sometimes normal. Maybe can have trouble handling their emotions but I think majority do not kill or harm or else the world would be even crazier. I hope many people know that many people who've had bipolar have contributed greatly to humanity in all disciplines. People with borderline are also intelligent, creative, sensitive, etc. They all just need help, understanding, compassion, nonjudgement. Either way, people need to learn and get educated about mental health. It seems horrible to make a movie that is so misinforming. Another comment suggested a disclaimer and educational information aired before and during commercials.
Unfortunate Acting
krugersbooks30 September 2016
I don't mean to be cruel, but why in the world did the producers ever cast Ms Zima in the role of Gillian? This lovely young lady couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. The supporting cast overshadowed her by a mile. Personally, I would have preferred seeing the 'storeowner' play Gillian, than the other way around.
Ms Zima seemed to stall or at the very least pause before speaking her lines. Was she unsure of herself in her role, or was this simply bad direction? Someone should have explained that acting bipolar does not mean acting zombie-like. Her 'downs' were pitiful and her ups were ridiculous.
Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this movie. I think it had promise, but someone dropped the ball.
Ms Zima seemed to stall or at the very least pause before speaking her lines. Was she unsure of herself in her role, or was this simply bad direction? Someone should have explained that acting bipolar does not mean acting zombie-like. Her 'downs' were pitiful and her ups were ridiculous.
Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this movie. I think it had promise, but someone dropped the ball.
This is the same movie as... M.S.F. male seeking female. different name, diff. cover art.
missarki323 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This is the same movie as... M.S.F. male seeking female. different name, diff. cover art.
Do not be misled by the false depiction of the mental health disorder Bipolar.
NAMI is a leader in Public awareness and is constantly working on a daily basis to make sure our country understands how important mental health is. NAMI's public awareness events and activities, including Mental Illness Awareness Week and NAMIWalks, successfully helps to Fight The Stigma and encourages understanding.
Bad even for Hallmark
heidibetrug5 June 2016
Seriously, this is one of- if not THE - most amateurish movies I've ever seen on the Hallmark Channel, which is not known for compelling drama or quality acting. The main character, Gillian is supposed to have bipolar disorder but her behavior is more symptomatic of schizophrenia. The acting is so poor, that regardless of the label put on the character's illness, the result is laughable. Yvonne Zima, who plays Gillian, has no business calling herself an actress. Her lines are all delivered in the same flat, wispy, little-girl voice and her face is expressionless. Her bipolar rants are amateurish and she is unconvincing as someone who would be so appealing to all the men in her life. Don't waste 90 minutes of your life on this one.
MONSTROSITY is actually an understatement!
missarki323 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Don't be fooled by the false depiction of this mental health client who they have portrayed as having been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. See N.A.M.I. for more information on the disorder. The book "Bipolar for Dummies" didn't upset me as much as this Flop of a movie. Back in the day the movie critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert who rated movies with thumbs up, or thumbs down, would have had a field day with this one, and are probably rolling in their graves right now. Myself, I'm most positive that a majority of the viewing audience who decided to rate this monstrosity would have also given it a definate 2Thumbs Down.
Me, myself, I wouldn't be ashamed at all to give this worthless piece... The Finger!
So Many Coincidences
JSplend95410 February 2014
Warning: Spoilers
The Girl He Met Online is a suspense/thriller starring Yvonne Zima as the girlfriend and Shawn Roberts as the boyfriend.
At the beginning of the movie, we get a glimpse of Zima's unpredictable behavior as she maliciously destroys her ex-boyfriend's townhome. Zima stole the show as she played the perfect female villain. She kind of reminded me of "the wicked evil woman" that was on a daytime soap opera, and you just couldn't wait to see what she would do next. She was cunning, calculating and ruthless. Whoever got in her way "Lookout", it was serious payback time. Zima played this character with the perfect temperament as she didn't get extremely vulgar, but you can just see her plotting her next move.
I have never seen a movie with so many coincidences. I thought that was good and bad. It certainly built some drama and had your attention, because those moments had you guessing what Zima's character would resort too.
Since this was a "Lifetime" Movie, I actually thought they may have Robert's character start a relationship with his (ex) girlfriend's mother. Thankfully, that didn't happen, as it would have ruined the whole movie.
When the movie was over, I asked myself this question - "If this was playing in the cinemas would I pay the price of admission to see this movie", and the answer is absolutely "YES".
At the beginning of the movie, we get a glimpse of Zima's unpredictable behavior as she maliciously destroys her ex-boyfriend's townhome. Zima stole the show as she played the perfect female villain. She kind of reminded me of "the wicked evil woman" that was on a daytime soap opera, and you just couldn't wait to see what she would do next. She was cunning, calculating and ruthless. Whoever got in her way "Lookout", it was serious payback time. Zima played this character with the perfect temperament as she didn't get extremely vulgar, but you can just see her plotting her next move.
I have never seen a movie with so many coincidences. I thought that was good and bad. It certainly built some drama and had your attention, because those moments had you guessing what Zima's character would resort too.
Since this was a "Lifetime" Movie, I actually thought they may have Robert's character start a relationship with his (ex) girlfriend's mother. Thankfully, that didn't happen, as it would have ruined the whole movie.
When the movie was over, I asked myself this question - "If this was playing in the cinemas would I pay the price of admission to see this movie", and the answer is absolutely "YES".
Mesmerising
syam-807-6072697 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Never would I have chosen to watch this film. It was on TV, and I gave it a moment. I was intrigued and watched the (majority) remainder of the film. (I don't think I missed much in terms of outset.)
This film centres around Gillian, a sexy, slender, young woman. She could get most men and takes full advantage of her assets. However, what lies within her character isn't this liberation of sexuality as a standalone but rather a psychotic individual who is incredibly narcissistic.
Throughout the story we delve into Gillian's upbringing; how she uses this as an excuse to justify her evil actions. Yvonne Zima who plays Gillian is mesmerising in her performance of bipolarity. No one could see her evil other than her step-mother (played by Mary- Margaret Humes with aplomb) who puts up with an inordinate amount to her detriment, also eventually an ex who blackmails her.
Sure, there'll be many negative verdicts and points made about this film. What grabbed me was the strength of the key performances, and given such a basis (TV movie) how they outshone moot issues of the film. I'm usually quite nit picky regarding lack of sensibilities in plot but in all honesty I didn't even care that denouement was predictable.
This film centres around Gillian, a sexy, slender, young woman. She could get most men and takes full advantage of her assets. However, what lies within her character isn't this liberation of sexuality as a standalone but rather a psychotic individual who is incredibly narcissistic.
Throughout the story we delve into Gillian's upbringing; how she uses this as an excuse to justify her evil actions. Yvonne Zima who plays Gillian is mesmerising in her performance of bipolarity. No one could see her evil other than her step-mother (played by Mary- Margaret Humes with aplomb) who puts up with an inordinate amount to her detriment, also eventually an ex who blackmails her.
Sure, there'll be many negative verdicts and points made about this film. What grabbed me was the strength of the key performances, and given such a basis (TV movie) how they outshone moot issues of the film. I'm usually quite nit picky regarding lack of sensibilities in plot but in all honesty I didn't even care that denouement was predictable.
Entertaining Thriller
lavatch20 October 2016
Warning: Spoilers
The film didn't pretend to be anything other than an entertaining "guilty pleasure" flic. The focus is on an extremely troubled young woman, prone to rage, violence, and murder. Her relationships begin well, but go sour when her "mean streak" begins to emerge.
Actress Yvonne Zima is excellent as the lead, and she carries the film with a multi-dimensional performance. Her character Gillian Casey builds quite a resume of destructive acts against her partners, who are often sleazy characters like her boss, Dr. Harris Kohling, who has made Gillian his mistress.
The main plot unfolds when Gillian meets a decent and successful young man on the internet. As the drama unfolds, the major question will be whether Gillian can navigate her way to success with a man who truly adores her.
Beyond many cliché elements, such as a string of accidental encounters, the film's most memorable character is Gillian's mother, as performed by Mary-Margaret Humes. The mother was sensitive and caring, yet was constantly on the receiving end of the bitterness and anger of her adopted daughter. Due to Humes' performance, this was a character and a relationship that the audience could really care about. So, the major surprise of the film was a strong interest and development of a mother-daughter relationship.
Originally titled "The Girl He Met Online," the film has been re-titled "MSF: Male Seeking Female" for release on DVD. For a low-budget, made-for-television drama, the film was above average. The characters were well developed, the cast was solid, and the dialogue was well-written. And, despite the two somewhat misleading titles, the most memorable part of the film was the inexplicable gulf that divided an extremely devoted mother and her daughter.
A good entertainment bargain at a Redbox machine!
Actress Yvonne Zima is excellent as the lead, and she carries the film with a multi-dimensional performance. Her character Gillian Casey builds quite a resume of destructive acts against her partners, who are often sleazy characters like her boss, Dr. Harris Kohling, who has made Gillian his mistress.
The main plot unfolds when Gillian meets a decent and successful young man on the internet. As the drama unfolds, the major question will be whether Gillian can navigate her way to success with a man who truly adores her.
Beyond many cliché elements, such as a string of accidental encounters, the film's most memorable character is Gillian's mother, as performed by Mary-Margaret Humes. The mother was sensitive and caring, yet was constantly on the receiving end of the bitterness and anger of her adopted daughter. Due to Humes' performance, this was a character and a relationship that the audience could really care about. So, the major surprise of the film was a strong interest and development of a mother-daughter relationship.
Originally titled "The Girl He Met Online," the film has been re-titled "MSF: Male Seeking Female" for release on DVD. For a low-budget, made-for-television drama, the film was above average. The characters were well developed, the cast was solid, and the dialogue was well-written. And, despite the two somewhat misleading titles, the most memorable part of the film was the inexplicable gulf that divided an extremely devoted mother and her daughter.
A good entertainment bargain at a Redbox machine!
Surprisingly sympathetic villainess
mgconlan-19 February 2014
Warning: Spoilers
"The Girl He Met Online" turned out to be surprisingly engaging even though it was very much to the Lifetime formula - one of those in which Christine Conradt was not involved directly but it's clear the people who were have absorbed her plot templates and situations and know how to crank these things out at least as well as the Old Mistress. The directors (plural) were Curtis Crawford (in previous productions he's been Curtis James Crawford) and Anthony Lefresne (though CRAWFORD's name was in BIG LETTERS across the screen and Lefresne's was in tiny type below it) and the credited writer was David DeCrane, but overall it's pretty much a chip off the old Christine Conradt block. When the movie starts we see the girl some poor sap is going to meet online, Gillian Casey (played by Yvonne Zima as a blonde, though otherwise with the same kewpie-doll appeal of Rose MacGowan in the first "Devil in the Flesh" movie from 1998 and Jodi Lyn O'Keefe in the 2000 sequel), trashing the home of her previous boyfriend, spray-painting everything in sight she can't render totally nonfunctional (like his TV - she sprays the letters "TV" behind where it used to be - and his stereo). We get the point immediately: this is a girl that doesn't take rejection well.
What's most interesting about "The Girl He Met Online" is that David DeCrane gives Gillian such a hellish background - her real parents died in a car accident when her age was still in the low single digits, and she and her sister Bethany (Tara Spencer-Nairn) were adopted by Agatha Casey (Mary-Margaret Humes), who made it clear to Gillian throughout her childhood that she never loved or cared about her and the only reason she adopted her was she wanted to raise Bethany and the adoption agency insisted that the sisters come as a package deal. Gillian has literally slept her way into a nice job as receptionist with an OB-GYN, Dr. Harris Kohling (Gary Hudson), who insists on her performing sexual services for him whenever his wife is out of town, which seems to be a lot. But that hasn't stopped her from trying to land a rich guy whom she can get to marry her and Take Her Away from All That. Her current target is Andy Collins (Shawn Roberts, at least marginally cuter than most of Lifetime's leading men), who works for a software company founded by his father and managed since dad's death by his mom Susan (Caroline Redekopp), and whose sister Heather (Samantha Madely) is also a major player in the firm. Most of the film is taken up by Gillian's intense pursuit of Andy and her ability to look normal and even genuinely charming when she's on her best behavior, though as the plot progresses the obstacles start to trip her up and writer DeCrane seems to go out of his way to put Gillian in contact with people who can expose the worst sides of her character.
What I liked about "The Girl I Met Online" was the writing of Gillian's character - though Curtis Crawford and Anthony Lefresne are hardly in Alfred Hitchcock's league as masters of suspense (nor is DeCrane anywhere nearly as good as the writers Hitchcock used), they do manage to play the double game Hitchcock pulled off in a number of his films: making the villain, if not sympathetic, at least attractive and put-upon enough we're kept hoping he - or, as here, she - will get away with it even as we know his or her actions are evil and she deserves arrest and punishment.
What's most interesting about "The Girl He Met Online" is that David DeCrane gives Gillian such a hellish background - her real parents died in a car accident when her age was still in the low single digits, and she and her sister Bethany (Tara Spencer-Nairn) were adopted by Agatha Casey (Mary-Margaret Humes), who made it clear to Gillian throughout her childhood that she never loved or cared about her and the only reason she adopted her was she wanted to raise Bethany and the adoption agency insisted that the sisters come as a package deal. Gillian has literally slept her way into a nice job as receptionist with an OB-GYN, Dr. Harris Kohling (Gary Hudson), who insists on her performing sexual services for him whenever his wife is out of town, which seems to be a lot. But that hasn't stopped her from trying to land a rich guy whom she can get to marry her and Take Her Away from All That. Her current target is Andy Collins (Shawn Roberts, at least marginally cuter than most of Lifetime's leading men), who works for a software company founded by his father and managed since dad's death by his mom Susan (Caroline Redekopp), and whose sister Heather (Samantha Madely) is also a major player in the firm. Most of the film is taken up by Gillian's intense pursuit of Andy and her ability to look normal and even genuinely charming when she's on her best behavior, though as the plot progresses the obstacles start to trip her up and writer DeCrane seems to go out of his way to put Gillian in contact with people who can expose the worst sides of her character.
What I liked about "The Girl I Met Online" was the writing of Gillian's character - though Curtis Crawford and Anthony Lefresne are hardly in Alfred Hitchcock's league as masters of suspense (nor is DeCrane anywhere nearly as good as the writers Hitchcock used), they do manage to play the double game Hitchcock pulled off in a number of his films: making the villain, if not sympathetic, at least attractive and put-upon enough we're kept hoping he - or, as here, she - will get away with it even as we know his or her actions are evil and she deserves arrest and punishment.
Different
Kristamw17 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
What stands out about this movie is that the story doesn't focus much on Gillian's new relationship with Andy; it focuses on Gillian and how she is clearly unable to blend in with the world around her, even as accommodating as it is. Though the writers label her bipolar, her behavior seems to be more of a sociopath as she lies, puts others in dangers, and just can't connect to others, or refuses to.
Writing Quality/Character Development:
Gillian is so far removed from others and reality that she doesn't appreciate anything anyone does for her. Her adopted mother showers her with unconditional love, but Gillian finds a way to hate her instead, even going so far as to physically hurt her. She also has the undying devotion of her sister, who is as grounded as their adopted mother, but she doesn't seem to care.
Gillian's action and dialogue are so unexpected. She lets her boss manipulate her, and while one would think she would try to expose him or hurt him, she does the opposite by staying with him. The people she hurts are, of course, undeserving, but the ones who push her to answer for her actions are not always "punished" by her. Thus, her dialogue and actions are so out of touch and inconsistent with reality, no matter what situation she is in. Her emotions are not in tune with the environment around her. She can't even appreciate the care that her new boyfriend has for her.
Values: The caring unconditional love and bond of a mother and sister. Content (sex, language & violence): The morning after is show, but no nudity. A couple uses of b**ch. Gillian physically hurts another character and later tries to choke a character to death. Scare factor/suspense: Infrequent, but a couple of scenes where a person's life is physically threatened. My overall impression is that she doesn't know how to be a human being. Weird, but true. She's present but not present, acts engaged but is clearly disconnected, but then we get a strange little peek into her justification, if only for a few seconds before she is gone from reality again.
Values: The caring unconditional love and bond of a mother and sister. Content (sex, language & violence): The morning after is show, but no nudity. A couple uses of b**ch. Gillian physically hurts another character and later tries to choke a character to death. Scare factor/suspense: Infrequent, but a couple of scenes where a person's life is physically threatened. My overall impression is that she doesn't know how to be a human being. Weird, but true. She's present but not present, acts engaged but is clearly disconnected, but then we get a strange little peek into her justification, if only for a few seconds before she is gone from reality again.
Highly Suspenseful Cautionary Tale
jlthornb5117 June 2015
Acclaimed Director Curtis Crawford helms this suspenseful drama that serves as a fine thriller as well as an important cautionary tale. In a superb performance, Yvonne Zima plays a bipolar young woman who acts out her fury upon the rejection of love interests. Shawn Roberts, particularly effective, is the man who meets her online and comes to regret the challenges she presents. The film works on several levels and is an eye opener for the uninformed on all of them. As an exploration of the risks of internet dating it is a powerful statement indeed. The threats inherent in the medium are stunningly demonstrated in some detail. The issue of mental health is sensitively observed and beautifully portrayed. Bipolar Disorder does not necessarily lead to deadly violence and unspeakable rage in relationships but the potential is there. This motion picture serves as a cry for help from the mental health community for more funding for both research and care. However, the drama and suspense drives this film and on that level alone it is a superior production.
Umm... OK...
cloverrover968 February 2014
So, it's about an unstable women named Gillian, who was adopted at young age with her sister. She has troubles with men, clearly meaning she doesn't know how to keep them without scaring them off or beating them. With that said, she's bipolar to the extreme! She lives with her mother who's been recovering from a heart attack and you know right off the bat that there is some very heavy tension and hostility between Gillian and her adopted mother. She decides after a break up with her boyfriends, she searches for another man. She finds a successful man, things at first go smoothly till it spirals downwards as things and people get in her and the relationship way.
-I, personally can say for a girl growing up not knowing who she truly is... Not having anything she's very jealous of other women she meets who she thinks have it all... Not a bad movie, it does for some reason keeps you a little interested. I guess it is with a watch!
-I, personally can say for a girl growing up not knowing who she truly is... Not having anything she's very jealous of other women she meets who she thinks have it all... Not a bad movie, it does for some reason keeps you a little interested. I guess it is with a watch!
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