caa821 This is one of those films which apparently wasn't released - at least not widely - and I'd never seen it listed anywhere until now. I've always found Scott Bakula's work interesting, and he's one of the more likable actors around. The same is true of Annabella Sciorra, although their chemistry as the 13-year husband and wife, and model citizens/parents, etc., wasn't exactly "white-hot."But this was still an interesting story, even in spite of this, and much better than a lot of the more elaborate releases both on television and big screens.Although this wasn't the typical "Lifetime, made-for-TV" flick, it had the feel of one - and certainly one of the best ones. These movies often have the devious spouse, out to eliminate the other, sometimes with a "double life," sometimes not. Others deal with a secret, jaded past, and usually has a former significant other who arrives to spill the beans and menace his/her new family. And then there's the "best friend/neighbor" secretly disrupting the hero or heroine's life, and often planning to bump him/her off and fill the void.So this picture, with the former life, long hidden, which eventually comes to light with substantial danger and consequences, and the inevitable suspicions that the "hero" may have a dark side, and be perpetrating the dangers which ensue - is not original at all. However, here it is presented with more believability and realism than normally, and with a satisfying resolution. Often these films take an hour and 58 minutes of the airtime to build to a predictable, all-too-brief, "2-minute" resolution. However, the last 20 minutes or so here present a truly interesting, strong (and heartfelt) climax.Besides the two leads, the supporting actors (daughter, business partner and his wife, and the authorities from Bakula's past) are first-rate, and are a major reason this story is well-above the usual fare seen in this venue.

TxMike Unique little movie, evidently had no theatrical release in the USA, and isn't shown as available on DVD, but we saw it on DVD from our public library. Scott Bakula has the lead role as James Stockton, all around good guy, married for 13 years, has a nice daughter who is the star pitcher for the little league team James also coaches. Annabella Sciorra is his loving wife Lisa. However we quickly find that all is not as it seems to be. At a funeral for the Mancini crime family, police set up surveillance that includes identification by fingerprint as people touch the holy water sponge entering church. One very old man comes up as Johnny Mancini, missing for 14 years, and wanted for questioning in the murder of his fiancée. Then we quickly realize that long gone Johnny Mancini is really James Stockton.So, the movie is about James' attempt to protect himself and his family. What transpires is somewhat predictable, with nothing new, but still plays out interestingly and demonstrates good family values.The movie is rated "R" for 2 or 3 instances of the F-word, which could just as easily been left out for a "PG-13" rating. SPOILERS FOLLOW. The cops and DA back in New Jersey were keen to find Johnny because they were told he had the family black book which detailed all the illegal bribes and payoffs. The current DA (old Ed Asner) was one of the recipients back in the 1970s and 1980s, and another entry involved detective Stamos (George Dzunda) who personally arrives in the small N. Carolina town to either get the black book or arrest Johnny. KNowing their home was being monitored, when his wife finally found out what was going on, he told her the whole story, but said "There really isn't a black book." He was arrested and taken away, probably to be killed, but a clue he gave his daughter turned up the black book in the hollowed out old dictionary, his wife and daughter went to school and photocopied all the pages, sent an email to the NJ DA, bargained to have Johnny/James released, her email then was automatically sent to all in the DA's address book, and the criminal investigations began, as we see James back coaching baseball.

AllisonLVenezio It's easy to tell a lie--create a new identity, move to a new town,sart a new life. But what happens when you're rediscovered by the people that lost track of you years earlier?James Stockton (Scott Bakula) is a model citizen, a hard working contractor, husband, father, and baseball coach. He has established himself in a good life, earning a good reputation among the people in his town. When he is rediscovered at a funeral for his mother, even though he is incognito, people begin showing up, and James's perfect world comes crashing down. How can he safe his own life, as wll as the lives of his wife Lisa (Anabella Sciorra) and daughter Stacy (Cait Gentile)?his suspensful drama, though it plays like a television movie of the week, is well-written and well-acted. Bakula, as James Stockton, plays the perfect family man, who happened to come from a troubling past. This is a different kind of role for him, as we are used to seeing him as the "Average" hero. The performances of the cast are all around good.This is an all-around good movie, with enough suspense to keep the audience entertained. If you like movies that will make you think, enjoy a good thrill, or like Scott Bakula, then this is the perfect film for you.

GWJ2001US If you're like me and often frustrated by illogical movie plots (Why do smart people do dumb things in the movies?), then you'll appreciate the ingenious ending to this little film.You might also appreciate the acting job turned in by the teenager who plays the daughter. She was picked out of a local soft ball team and had no prior acting experience.