labbysexy-544-183001 Like all made for TV movies, you can almost write the entire storyline from start to finish just by watching the first 5minutes of it. I kinda knew what to expect but hey, it was a lazy winter Sunday morning and I was in no hurry to get out of bed and flicking through channels, saw this and watched. Linda Purl's acting was the only saving grace. The other characters lacked depth and I cannot believe how these writers always make the main characters seem so weak and simple and act all they have faced in a manner no person with an ounce of common sense would. Although there were some good scenes in parts thanks to Linda Purl's character, I think this formula needs to be reworked and even if the writer or Director wants a happy ending, they can still make the movie a true suspense from start to finish that when you get there (end) it should come as a surprise. It is for this reason I have given this movie a 3 star just on the basis of Linda's performance.

VinnieRattolle I picked this up thinking it was a horror movie; as is typical for Lion's Gate, the DVD packaging is completely misleading. As the film opened, I instantly realized that it was a movie of the week... and one that I've seen a billion times since FATAL ATTRACTION came out in '87. Yes, crazy lady becomes obsessed with the notion of being with a man who doesn't love her. Before I go any further, I must admit that Purl devoured her role but unfortunately, nearly everything else about the film was inept.I can't remember the last time I had everything figured out in a movie eons before it occurred. All of the twists that should have been subtle were instead anti-climactic because of the hackneyed direction and even worse writing. A few examples: In one scene, we see Purl trying on the wedding ring her brother-in-law bought for his new fiancée, and the camera lingers far too long on her niece, who walks in and catches her. I wonder how that's gonna end. In another scene, Purl calls a guy from an incriminating location, and as he closes his cell phone, he asks himself aloud, "Where's that area code?" Gee, do you think that's a setup for him to figure out what she's up to? Then there's several fantasy sequences which are far too obvious for anyone to think they're actually happening. But most insulting of all is an overlong flashback sequence near the end that rehashes every single plot point, as if the audience were too stupid to figure it out for themselves.The actors elevated the material quite a bit, but couldn't save it from being a 90 minute Lifetime Movie cliché. Even on a camp level it doesn't really work and I'm shocked to see all of the favorable reviews. Personally, the one and only reason I'd recommend this is for a few performances. If you like Purl, Ashby or Sturges, check it out; all others, beware.

unapalomablanca The first time I heard about this movie, I wanted to see it because I was expecting blood, jealousy ad rage in a very lethal combination. Linda Purl played the villain, but I was actually rooting for her! In fact, I thought she was the good girl and Nicole was the bad uh, girl. However, the movie seemed a little pale, and Shannon Sturges' acting did not give me that much satisfaction, especially in the stabbing scene. I was looking forward to a more family-oriented ending (where Richard and the kids realize that they are enough for each other). All in all, the plot, the schemes and Linda Purl's pity-soliciting acting contributed to the film's likability, but Shannon Sturges' stiffness seemed a little off.

lost-in-limbo Laci Collins becomes close and provides a helping hand to her brother-in-law Richard and his children, after her sister was killed in a car accident two years ago. After moving in she has become so attached, as if its her own family she was looking after. Things do take a turn for the worst when Richard proposes to his girlfriend of one year, Nicole. This development gets to Laci, as in her disturbed mind, this is 'her' family and Richard is 'her' man. So she goes about trying to disrupt these wedding plans by any type of means, which to keep her dream alive could lead to murder.Yawn! Here's another one of those domestic based thrillers involving the old ground concept of a psycho-lady who loves those people close to her way too much to let go of what she has. Think of "Fatal Attraction" crossed with "The Stepfather" and wallah, you have the lame lifetime TV presentation "Maid of Honor". Actually thinking about it more, this one tends to fall into clichéd soapy territory with drama aplenty and many ridiculous plot developments that wouldn't go astray in those type of serials. The measly premise is an utter joke even if something like this could happen, but the dramatics and languid script seems to drag out even more. Watch how Purl's character tries at every turn to stop the marriage with less than cunning effects and that obsessive behaviour transmits some wildly violent thoughts towards Nicole. Since there's nothing resembling any kind of suspense or build up, it moves along at snails pace. We get the usual back-story and flashbacks of our character's troubled beginnings of living in the shadow of her successful sister, because of her ungrateful mother's comparison. The way the main character manipulates the surrounding actions to her advantage is far from subtle. You'll be scratching your head at just how slow they are at picking up on it. Even when her niece gets suspicious, she still acts as if she had no idea. It's all talk, very uninspired and plenty of close up shots on concerned faces and that of Linda Purl's twisted facial expressions. Now that was convincing! Too bad mostly everything in the story wasn't. Her coldly calculated central performance is rather irksome, but she's suitably detestable and overdone in a demented way. Purl really does get into the part, maybe too much. The rest of the cast members do a modest job, but Shannon Sturges is a shinning delight and Danielle Kind falls into the same boat. Just like most TV productions, it's pretty clean looking, but technically generic across the board. The musical score sounds traditional, that's whenever it decides to kick in, because you'll hardly notice it. Camera-work sticks close to the practical framing without an ounce of live. Douglas Jackson's limply one-dimensional direction is no better, and totally fumbles any chance of providing such shocks for corny daftness."Maid of Honor" is a flatly handled and laughable wannabe thriller, which the neat looking cover artwork for the DVD just can't seem deliver the promise.