Deadly Betrayal (2003 TV Movie)
Typical Lifetime "Women in Jep" movie; I liked it
7 August 2007
At the start of the movie, a man enters a house while another man is doing the deed with a woman. I suspected the woman was cheating on her husband, though we learn differently later. Also, the man in the bedroom was a teenager.

There is violence, and then the words "20 years later".

In or near Boston (based on the newspaper shown), Donna is upset that her husband is going away for several weeks. Jeff is a TV news cameraman, and this time he is going to Bosnia. He claims the man who was supposed to go broke his leg (which is probably true), but Donna thinks he just wanted to go.

When Donna picks up her daughter Melinda from Dalton Academy, she meets Melinda's teacher Adam, who tells Donna how much he likes having such a smart and creative girl in his class.

Because her parents argue on the phone, and Melinda knows about parents divorcing when they have problems, Melinda gets depressed and Adam notices this. He calls Donna in to talk.

Later Donna attends a classical music concert (which Jeff was also supposed to attend) and meets Adam there.

If I say this seems like a typical Lifetime movie, do I even have to say what will happen next? Of course, the title kind of gives away the fact that the movie will take a dark turn about halfway through. And Jeff does return from Bosnia sooner than he expected. Donna does show a lot of determination and persistence in finding out more about Adam.

This is a TV-movie where a woman gets in trouble but finds her way out of the situation. Nothing more, nothing less. But Nicolette Sheridan is a pleasure to watch. Donna is a pleasant enough character and quite good-looking, in or out of clothes. Which reminds me: how can she eat fast food and not be shown working out, and still have that nice a body? Adam has a home gym ...

Leni Parker gives a good performance as Roz, Donna's friend and co-worker at Rosalind's Bookstore. Amanda Tilson is adorable and does a fine job as Melinda.

Andrew Jackson has the biggest challenge here, going from sensitive and kind to weird and manipulative. He does a good job.

This is the type of movie a can enjoy. I prefer comedies, but this was enjoyable enough.
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