To Love, Honor & Betray (1999 TV Movie) User Reviews

Too predictable, but has a few good elements.

[xavrush89 · 5/10 · 5 July 2005]

If this TV-movie keeps you guessing, then it's obviously the very first one of its kind you have ever seen, or you are in the single digit ages. Those are the only two explanations. One question: On what planet does Dee Wallace pass as the mother of a 37-38 year-old Crystal Bernard?? It is even established in the story that her character is exactly 50, so even if we are to believe Brolin married her right out of high school, it would require some major airbrushing on Bernard.

This might not have been so bad if it wasn't so predictable, and the acting was okay. Dee Wallace has always been a very likable actor, but she doesn't have as big of a part as I would have liked. Several of the supporting actors are pretty good in their roles. This is a time filler and not much else. I'm sure the real people whose story is being told weren't involved in the production much, if at all.

no you did not hear it right

[ladyhawk_ca2000 · 5/10 · 5 May 2008]

during a very dramatic court room scene where a man is on the stand talking about the possibility of an affair regarding his father-in-law, he used the word "slapadickilous." My mom heard it too, and we just stared at each other dumbfounded. Did you hear that? my mom asked me. We started laughing. We really could not believe he used the word so seriously and that even the lawyer who was questioning him, seemed to be nonchalant concerning "slapadickilious." The phrase used was " slap and tickle". Either way, i agree its inappropriate in a serious, court room scene. I don't think the movie was awful, nor do i think it was excellent. It didn't take too long to figure out who the killer really was. The only surprise for me was finding out her brother Nick was keeping an eye on her the whole time.

Predictable

[Kingslaay · 6/10 · 6 January 2023]

To Love, Honor & Betray is not a bad film. The performances are quite good, especially James Brolin, and it is nicely paced to keep you interested from start to finish. I was interested to see how things turned out. However it was quite predictable. The main culprit was obvious from early on so there was no big reveal. Also the main motive behind the murder was not anything crafty or original. We see a very obvious and basic motive. Also how many lives does Melissa have? She ran into danger a few times and was watched by her husband but no harm came to her.

This is your typical B movie, nothing special but easy watching.

No love lost on my part

[buckaroobanzai50 · 18 December 2002]

What we have here is your run of the mill TV movie. Crystal looks very sexy, but that does not make her a better actress. James Brolin hasn't done any decent acting probably since he made Westworld.

When a film says; "Based upon a true story." at it's start, it usually means "this film is in no way based upon what really happened.". It's safe to say that I wasn't impressed at all.

Norman Bates could provide counsel to this husband

[caa821 · 3/10 · 18 March 2007]

I had some time to kill on a Sunday afternoon, and happened to notice this while changing channels. It was just a few minutes into the film, and after a bit, I became fascinated in seeing it's one of those flicks which evokes neither interest in the characters portrayed nor the performances of the assigned actors.

I checked the two comments already here, and can't disagree with anything they've included.

However, the real fascination for me was the lead actress' husband, whose bizarre, sociopathic behavior makes Tony Perkins' Norman Bates character seem simply to have been a man with a bit of an Oedipal fixation, by comparison. "Norman" could have provided this guy with a few tips on a more rational approach to his life (and about how he could be more loving and nurturing to those close to him).

Maybe 2* for the story, and another for this fascinating element.

Actually like this movie!

[mbg411 · 9/10 · 17 August 2010]

First of all, I'll watch anything with David Cubitt. And I like Crystal Bernard too! How old was Crystal Bernard's character supposed to be though? I got the impression she was supposed to be in her early to mid 30's. Late 20's at the very, very least.

There were a couple of unclear plot holes, but that's to be expected. The characters in this movie are well fleshed out. I saw the ending coming from a mile away, I knew who did it, but it still made for great suspense! And it's also based on a rather interesting, yet tragic, true story. The motives are predictable, yet quite interesting and fascinating.

Crystal Bernard's age bothered me somewhat, but I have a feeling her character was designed to be a needy, sheltered woman who would live with her parents even into her 30's.

It's all about the hair

[guil12 · 30 May 2010]

And Crystal Bernard, our leading lady, has too much of it. After a while I got sick of seeing a middle aged female trying to look younger than she is. And her huge mop of bleached hair had movement of its own, believe me, bangs and all. She must tease her hair every five minutes for it was never out of place in the entire movie. Then her acting was so stilted and boring I kept wondering of all the women in Hollywood or Canada or where ever this was filmed there had to be someone better. She was plain awful to look at and listen to. Story is typical standard stuff about infidelity and such stuff. Unfortunately Dee Wallace, an actress I admire, is wasted in this. But it's wonderful to watch her even in the little she had to do. And she comes off as Bernard's sister not mother. Bernard is much too old for the role. That explains the long, too long straight hair. I hate this new age look women have with straight below the shoulder length bleached blond hair. And always hanging over one eye or both eyes. Is this supposed to make us guys think they Are sexy, when you can't even see their faces with the hair hanging down in front? Like a witch. All they need is the pointed hat. It is so common these days these hair dos that are supposed to be attractive. To me it looks like they just woke up and need a good hair brushing.

Anyway, I digress. We have once again James Brolin, and actor that seems to always end up in these insipid LMN movies. Can't he get any other work? I admit he's not much of an actor. His son, Josh, fares much better in the acting jobs. But Brolin is still quite a strikingly handsome guy, good for you Barbra. Full head of glorious silver hair, and tanned. He's a looker, but that's about all. No acting please.

And then there's a young young Dean McDermott, Tori's spouse, as the kid brother who is not that bad in this. Nice to know there was life before Tori with him. David Cubitt plays the husband and also does a decent job. Looking too young for Bernard. How old is she anyway?

Did I hear that right?

[kccarida · 2 January 2008]

Excuse me! Can someone help me out with this? I ended up watching this show with my mom over the Christmas holidays. It's your standard Lifetime fare. It's very predictable, but somehow you get sucked in. Anyway, during a very dramatic court room scene where a man is on the stand talking about the possibility of an affair regarding his father-in-law, he used the word "slapadickilous." My mom heard it too, and we just stared at each other dumbfounded. Did you hear that? my mom asked me. We started laughing. We really could not believe he used the word so seriously and that even the lawyer who was questioning him, seemed to be nonchalant concerning "slapadickilious." I can understand using catchy phrases but this "phrase" did not seem to be consistent with the dramatic tone of the show. If this was a comedy it would have been OK but not for a drama. Did anyone else hear this and wonder? Please help. I really need to know.