THE WRONG CRUSH (TV movie 2017) 5/10 stars Time to read: 4min

THE WRONG CRUSH (TV movie 2017) 

5 out of 10 stars Time to read: 4min 

BASIC PLOT: 

Amelia (Victoria Konefal) is working to put her life back together, without the help of her mother Tracy (Lesli Kay). Two years ago, when Amelia was sixteen, she was partying too much with her friend Joy Hessler. One night when the two were drinking heavily, Joy crashed her car, killing herself, and injuring Amelia. Amelia was put on probation, and took the second chance that was offered her. She turned her life around, got straight A's, and became the leading track star in the state, with a scholarship all but assured. 

But this turn around is not enough for her mother, Tracy. She refuses to believe her daughter has changed, and instead either ignores her, or says horrible things to remind her of her past. Nothing Amelia does is good enough for Tracy, or for Joy's parents, Mr. And Mrs. Hessler. They too blame Amelia for Joy's death, and have become such a nuisance, a restraining order was issued against them for their continued harassment. The court order hasn't stopped them though, they often show up at Amelia's track meets, and shout horrible things at her. Unbeknownst to Amelia and Tracy, they have also hired another troubled teen to follow Amelia around, and get proof she's drinking again. They want her probation violated, and much like Tracy, they refuse to believe Amelia has changed. 

What they don't realize is the guy they hired to follow Amelia, is not just another troubled teen. His name is Jake Jericho, and he's a psychopath. He's become fixated on Amelia, believing she's the only one who truly understands him. Now, no one is safe, not Mr. and Mrs. Hessler, not Amelia's boyfriend Scott, not Tracy, and certainly not Amelia. Can Amelia and Tracy finally put the past behind them, and work together long enough to save themselves from Jake's romantic machinations? 

WHAT WORKS: 

Lesli Kay as "Tracy"  

*TRACY'S SELF-RIGHTEOUS DIATRIBES ARE SPOT ON. (Lesli Kay) always does a great job playing the b*tch, and this is no exception. 

*IN THIS MOVIE, WOMEN HANDLE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS, which is excellent! I love seeing women react as I would, no sniveling, no looking to a man for help, just taking care of business, and saving themselves. We need more of that Lifetime! 

Ricardo Hoyos as "Jake" 

*THE MELODRAMATIC CHARACTERS AND DIALOG WORK This is a melodrama, and that means there's going to be lots of stereotypes, and expected dialog. For those who understand and appreciate the melodramatic art form, this movie will be a great time waster. It's a diverting hour and a half, and it's not trying to be anything more. 

WHAT DOESN'T WORK: 

The House they live in costs
2.7 million IRL

*HOW DO THEY AFFORD TO LIVE IN THIS HOUSE when the mom works at a nursing home? It's ridiculous! This is a 2.7 million dollar home, and you don't make money like that working as a nurse at an old folks home. 

*JAKE & LAUREN'S HOUSE IS THE SAME AS AMELIA & TRACY'S. I know this is small budget, but using the same house for three separate locations in the movie is too much. The house has very distinctive wallpaper and woodwork. It's clearly the same house. If they are implying that Jake's a phrogger (that still wouldn't explain Lauren), then he should be in the attic. I'm pretty sure Amelia and Tracy would notice a nutter wall in their study. 

*IN 2017, SCHOOL HALLWAYS HAVE CAMERAS Therefore, Jake would NOT be able to plant drugs in Scott's locker without being seen. Why not write in a scene where Jake disables the cameras? At least then, it would be more believable. 

 Pedro Correa as "Scott" 

*POLICE ARE NOT STUPID This is a goof that bothers me with lots of TV shows and movies. The police would take into account that Scott's fingerprints aren't on the drugs planted in his locker. They would also take into account the fact they were led to this information by an anonymous tip. That, and Scott's squeaky clean background, would matter to the judicial system. His attorney would demand he take a polygraph (or 3, it's statistically impossible to beat 3 polygraphs unless you're a sociopath - and he's not), and he would be cleared. Also, they would have no right to suspect his girlfriend, and in this letigious age, they wouldn't dare accuse anyone else without proof. The police are NOT stupid! And I'm sick and tired of screenwriters using that unbelievable trope as a crutch, instead of coming up with something that could actually happen in real life. The police wouldn't be able to seize/freeze Scott's college fund. What would be the purpose? What would be the justification to the court? Again, it's asinine, and makes no sense! 

Victoria Konefal as "Amelia" 

*WHY WOULD TRACY CARE IF AMELIA STILL HAS PICS OF JOY? It's a knee jerk reaction from people when they see someone grieving. I love Amelia's speech about the appropriate time to grieve - she puts the counselor in her place, and tells her plainly - grief is a process, and how long it lasts is not up to you. When people tell you not to wallow in grief, they really mean it makes them uncomfortable being around you while you're grieving. That's why grief is so isolating. You basically have two choices - hide your pain, and grieve alone (dangerous), or stuff your pain down inside you, and hide it from the world and yourself (also dangerous). If people require that of you, you probably shouldn't have them in your life, or you should talk to them openly about how you're really feeling. Sometimes people feel uncomfortable because they don't know what to do. That's why, when you're grieving, you get comments like, "You're loved one wouldn't want you to suffer this way." I've heard that so many times, and it used to make me furious! I'd respond with, "How the hell do you know what my loved one would want!!" But now I say, " I thank you for caring about me, but how I grieve day to day varies. If you'd like to avoid being around me when I'm down, that's up to you. But those are the days when I could really use the help. You don't have to do or say anything, just listen, and be there. That's what I need most." 

Meredith Thomas as " Mrs. Hessler"

*WHY CAN'T WE ALLOW WOMEN TO AGE GRACEFULLY IN

Jon Briddell as "Mr. Hessler" 

THIS COUNTRY? While taking screen shots of the movie, I realized all of the scenes with the older female actresses have a filter applied to them. It's a disgusting statement on our culture that only the women have this indignancy applied to them. The men of the same age, DON'T! 

TO RECOMMEND, OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IS THE QUESTION: 

To those who understand, and appreciate melodramas, I would recommend this movie. It is definitely one of the better "Wrong" Lifetime movies, and it has women taking care of their own problems, which is excellent. 

*ON A PERSONAL NOTE: 

I so relate to this movie...a mother who doesn't care, is judgemental and without love. It saddens me, but I discovered long ago that there are toxic people who don't belong in your life. If you have someone, who you feel obligated to love because they are a family member, remember, you can love from a distance. Self care is important, and if someone is poisoning your life, it's best to cut ties, and just have the positive memories (if there are any) instead. 

This review is dedicated to my late husband (and high school sweetheart) who was also named Scott. I honor the dead by living the best life I can... 

CLOSING NOTES: 

*THIS IS A MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE, please keep that in mind before you watch/rate it. TV movies have a much lower budget, and so you expectations should be adjusted. 

*I HAVE NO CONNECTION TO THE FILM, or production in ANY way. This review was NOT written in full, or in part, by a bot. I am just an honest viewer, who wishes for more straight forward reviews (less trolls and fanboys), and better entertainment. Hope I helped you out.

R.I.P.Galyn Görg (July 15, 1964 – July 14, 2020)