I just watched "The Tender Trap", a 2021 drama on Crackle from New Zealand based on a real life experience by a woman, Sharon Armstrong, who was a victim of a romance scam. Google her and you will find some interesting articles. I'm giving the movie a 6 rating because I'm not fond of the back and forth script from current events to flashbacks. However, I think that the subject matter is important and it needs to be heeded, especially if you meet someone online. It can show how vulnerable and completely caught up in the fantasy when it comes to "love", not to mention insecurity that you may have about yourself or the "relationship" to the point that you would do anything for this phantom "love of your life" just to keep that love.
It starts out when a 50-something mother and grandmother meets a man online after her cousin sets up a dating site account for her, an account she never wanted in the first place. Enter a "connection" named "Frank". This "relationship" starts with emails through the site and then texts and eventually, phone calls. Sharon, the main female lead, gets so caught up in this romance without even seeing "Frank", other than his picture posted on the dating site. There's not Skyping, selfies and attaching a picture to an email. She thoroughly trusts this guy over the advise and concerns of her daughter and sister. Things get worse for this woman when she flies to London via Argentina to meet "Frank". I'm giving away the plot here, but it's worth watching. It can be slow and as I said, back and forth between current and flashbacks. The acting is really good and you can feel the pain that Sharon is going through played by Rima Te Wiata. The supporting cast of Nicola Kawana as daughter Ariana and Vanessa Rare and sister Rita are realistic.
Online dating is a definitely a crap shoot. I've had no interest at all. You can meet cheaters, scumbags, losers, crazies, narcissists, control freaks, abusers and all kinds of nutjobs face to face. You don't necessarily have to go online to meet them. I say just stay safe, pay attention to your gut, if it doesn't feel right, go the opposite way, look for those red flags. Don't loan money or buy gifts for these creeps. We've all had some type of experience, maybe not huge or maybe really huge, just stay safe.
It starts out when a 50-something mother and grandmother meets a man online after her cousin sets up a dating site account for her, an account she never wanted in the first place. Enter a "connection" named "Frank". This "relationship" starts with emails through the site and then texts and eventually, phone calls. Sharon, the main female lead, gets so caught up in this romance without even seeing "Frank", other than his picture posted on the dating site. There's not Skyping, selfies and attaching a picture to an email. She thoroughly trusts this guy over the advise and concerns of her daughter and sister. Things get worse for this woman when she flies to London via Argentina to meet "Frank". I'm giving away the plot here, but it's worth watching. It can be slow and as I said, back and forth between current and flashbacks. The acting is really good and you can feel the pain that Sharon is going through played by Rima Te Wiata. The supporting cast of Nicola Kawana as daughter Ariana and Vanessa Rare and sister Rita are realistic.
Online dating is a definitely a crap shoot. I've had no interest at all. You can meet cheaters, scumbags, losers, crazies, narcissists, control freaks, abusers and all kinds of nutjobs face to face. You don't necessarily have to go online to meet them. I say just stay safe, pay attention to your gut, if it doesn't feel right, go the opposite way, look for those red flags. Don't loan money or buy gifts for these creeps. We've all had some type of experience, maybe not huge or maybe really huge, just stay safe.
