Yes it was a little dramatic, a little silly...The boyfriend of the older daughter never believes her. The cops never believes her. Drugs found in the older sister's car were obtained without a warrant and that is illegal search and seizure. They were not in plain view. You know stuff like that. I have a cold and this was a good way to pass time in between naps.
9 Reviews
A Below Average Cliched Psychological Thriller
P3n-E-W1s317 January 2018
Karen Cliche in a cliched film - who would have guessed, right(?)
So this is the story about a career-minded woman, Jessica (Cliche), who won't let anything stand in her way. When her husband is arrested for fraud she decides to track down her daughter, Allison (Martin). Allison has been raised by her father and his wife after she was born due to her father's affair with Jessica. Now that her father has passed away Allison and her sister, Sydni (Blanton), are the sole inheritors of his will... except that Jessica has other plans.
Serge does try to add something new to an old story, though he unfortunately also throws in some cliches - and well-used ones at that, which deters a little from his good work. Also, some of the narratives are a little heavy-handed and unrealistic.
Though what lowers the film most is the direction. Conradt sticks to a pretty tried and true formulaic structure with the filming. It wouldn't have hurt to add a few different camera angles and possible some nice pans of scenery and location. Also, a little bit of lighting to add atmosphere and mood would have gone a long way after all this is a psychological thriller.
The one bright side to this movie is Maddy Martin who does a good job with her character. She could be one actress to keep an eye on. It's just a shame that the rest of the cast isn't up to her standard, especially Cliche who is relatively wooden throughout the film. Though she has a striking face and a decent body, I just cannot understand why the men Jessica is with would find her attractive enough to bed, because, characterwise, there's nothing attractive about this woman.
All in all, I'd recommend watching any of the many other TV movies of this ilk out there as they are probably more enjoyable.
So this is the story about a career-minded woman, Jessica (Cliche), who won't let anything stand in her way. When her husband is arrested for fraud she decides to track down her daughter, Allison (Martin). Allison has been raised by her father and his wife after she was born due to her father's affair with Jessica. Now that her father has passed away Allison and her sister, Sydni (Blanton), are the sole inheritors of his will... except that Jessica has other plans.
Serge does try to add something new to an old story, though he unfortunately also throws in some cliches - and well-used ones at that, which deters a little from his good work. Also, some of the narratives are a little heavy-handed and unrealistic.
Though what lowers the film most is the direction. Conradt sticks to a pretty tried and true formulaic structure with the filming. It wouldn't have hurt to add a few different camera angles and possible some nice pans of scenery and location. Also, a little bit of lighting to add atmosphere and mood would have gone a long way after all this is a psychological thriller.
The one bright side to this movie is Maddy Martin who does a good job with her character. She could be one actress to keep an eye on. It's just a shame that the rest of the cast isn't up to her standard, especially Cliche who is relatively wooden throughout the film. Though she has a striking face and a decent body, I just cannot understand why the men Jessica is with would find her attractive enough to bed, because, characterwise, there's nothing attractive about this woman.
All in all, I'd recommend watching any of the many other TV movies of this ilk out there as they are probably more enjoyable.
Killer Mom - the ultimate narcissist who will stop at nothing to get what she wants
jrv196416 April 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I watched this mad for T.V movie from Lifetime and was impressed with it's entertainment value.
Karen Cliche, who plays Jessica the estranged mother, is very attractive but is hell bent on getting hold of her daughter Allison's multi million dollar inheritance is one of the worst twisted narcissists and evil villains I have seen in a film.
Cold, conniving and calculating she manipulates people and gets rid of those that stand in her way and what she wants in the true style of a dangerous malignant narcissist and Jessica soon becomes a character you love to hate.
Sydni, played by actress Kirby Bliss Blanton, is the half sister of Allison is very street smart and does not trust Jessica from the outset and the movie becomes a showdown between her and Jessica in a battle of wits with plot twists and turns.
Yes the movie is an age old story of people motivated by greed and who will do anything to get it but is a well played,. enjoyable thriller, not a bad effort for a t.v movie.
Watching Jessica plan her schemes and the cold way she executes it, but at the same time putting on a pretend sweet side to her daughter Alison, is sickening but very convincingly played by Karen Cliche, put it this way I would not like to meet a person like 'Jessica" in a dark alley and be on her 'get rid off list".
Some may say this is a second rate movie with a story that has been re-hashed many times over, but it is done in the modern way and is a good 2 hours worth of entertainment, rate it a 7 out 10.
Don't under estimate a conniving, evil woman, they can be worse than bad guys!
Long Lost Mother
lavatch12 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
"Killer Mom" opens with a dynamic scene when Robert Calders is arrested by the FBI for investment fraud, leaving his embittered wife Jessica destitute. Jessica then will stop at nothing to reclaim her heritage as the mother of little Allie Timmons, who stands to inherit $40 million after the death of her father and stepmother. In the process, Jessica Calders becomes the killer mom.
The film was well-crafted and well-photographed with the evil Jessica becoming more and more diabolical as the action progressed. Standing in Jessica's way is Sydni, the older sister of Allie. Sydni and her boyfriend Tommy suspect that Jessica is out for the inheritance and they proceed to go undercover to find incriminating evidence.
It was unfortunate that gratuitous violence crept into the film. The nicest character was Aaron Martin, the attorney handling the Timmons estate. Aaron had been Cameron Timmons' best friend and was genuinely concerned for the welfare of the two daughters. Jessica and her devious partner in crime, Cole Flannery, senselessly murdered Aaron when he became inconvenient to them. But it was not clear how Aaron could have stood in Jessica's way to "adopt" little Allie if the child and other family members agreed.
There was a nice bonding of the sisters, a kind nanny, and a loving aunt and uncle waiting in the wings to care for these two fine youngsters. The girls were raised with solid values, which stand them in good stead in their battle against the long lost mother.
The film was well-crafted and well-photographed with the evil Jessica becoming more and more diabolical as the action progressed. Standing in Jessica's way is Sydni, the older sister of Allie. Sydni and her boyfriend Tommy suspect that Jessica is out for the inheritance and they proceed to go undercover to find incriminating evidence.
It was unfortunate that gratuitous violence crept into the film. The nicest character was Aaron Martin, the attorney handling the Timmons estate. Aaron had been Cameron Timmons' best friend and was genuinely concerned for the welfare of the two daughters. Jessica and her devious partner in crime, Cole Flannery, senselessly murdered Aaron when he became inconvenient to them. But it was not clear how Aaron could have stood in Jessica's way to "adopt" little Allie if the child and other family members agreed.
There was a nice bonding of the sisters, a kind nanny, and a loving aunt and uncle waiting in the wings to care for these two fine youngsters. The girls were raised with solid values, which stand them in good stead in their battle against the long lost mother.
Well paced well written thriller
phd_travel29 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
A woman who has lost her money goes after the daughter she gave up for adoption to a wealthy man. The story is quite logical so it's actually quite exciting. Although she has ulterior motives you kind of want them to get together happily so it's quite involving. Also there aren't some of the typical cheap scare tactics and too many killings that plague some Lifetime thrillers.
Only thing the ending is a little formula - could have been more clever. But 90% of this movie is good so it's worth a watch.
Only thing the ending is a little formula - could have been more clever. But 90% of this movie is good so it's worth a watch.
****
edwagreen29 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Terrific thriller with two sisters losing their parents in 2 years and the younger one, who thought she was adopted, finds out that her real mother had a brief affair with the father and has now returned.
The mother, Jessica, is one of the most diabolical characters I've met in a long time. Her scheme to gain control of the vast inheritance left to the younger daughter leads her to all sorts of mayhem, especially getting rid of people who are in the way of her ultimate goal.
Wait until you find out that the father's death in a plane crash wasn't an accident.
The older sister-wise but rebellious realizes that something is amiss so Jessica has drugs planted in her car to get her out of the way.
A wonderful thriller, greed was never better.
The mother, Jessica, is one of the most diabolical characters I've met in a long time. Her scheme to gain control of the vast inheritance left to the younger daughter leads her to all sorts of mayhem, especially getting rid of people who are in the way of her ultimate goal.
Wait until you find out that the father's death in a plane crash wasn't an accident.
The older sister-wise but rebellious realizes that something is amiss so Jessica has drugs planted in her car to get her out of the way.
A wonderful thriller, greed was never better.
Super villianess
geoffox-766-41846727 April 2017
The minute I saw her appear on screen I hated her. She's that good. Of course, you can't wait for her demise but it is fun watching her do her dirty work. And she looks like the evil Queen in Disney's Snow White. Extreme make-up although she must take it off sometime. The movie is pretty predictable. You sort of know who will be knocked off from the beginning. You can see it coming. Most of the actors did okay, but the leading lady was fantastic. She never missed a beat to show her evil side and her phony side. I did think the little girl was a bit sickening. Sort of the whining type. I did like the girl who played her grown up sister. Feisty dame and good in the role. Again, LMN makes the males look like idiots and behind the ball when it comes to smarts.
One of the worst and trashiest villains ever.
CranberriAppl8 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Overacting, harsh makeup, no redeeming qualities....she's gross. This isn't even a revenge story, it's a greed story since she willingly gave up Allison. The r a p e accusation after her seduction tactics didn't work is what took away any interest I had in her plight and this movie. Anyone who would fake that is awful. She didn't even stay at the hotel.
I watch a lot of old classics, so I have an appreciation for elements of the Hays code. Sure she met her end in the final scenes, but I hate when these movies do not clear the names of innocent people. The blackmail of the hotel manager, the framing of the lawyer.... I like vindication in films particularly with such a vile villain. Did her death technically take care of all of her crimes, well yes, but the fake assaults leave a bad taste in my mouth and I think villains should have direct punishment for that. I feel her death settled all the murders she was responsible for, but ruining the good names of others was not resolved.
This was an unpleasant movie to sit through. One would think she'd be more calculating instead of so murderous as to not raise flags. One thing that would have helped me be sympathetic if even as a greedy witch, if she developed any motherly feelings for the little girl, but nope. Greedy to the end.
I watch a lot of old classics, so I have an appreciation for elements of the Hays code. Sure she met her end in the final scenes, but I hate when these movies do not clear the names of innocent people. The blackmail of the hotel manager, the framing of the lawyer.... I like vindication in films particularly with such a vile villain. Did her death technically take care of all of her crimes, well yes, but the fake assaults leave a bad taste in my mouth and I think villains should have direct punishment for that. I feel her death settled all the murders she was responsible for, but ruining the good names of others was not resolved.
This was an unpleasant movie to sit through. One would think she'd be more calculating instead of so murderous as to not raise flags. One thing that would have helped me be sympathetic if even as a greedy witch, if she developed any motherly feelings for the little girl, but nope. Greedy to the end.
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