The Good Mistress (TV Movie 2014) 4.5 out of 10 ⭐'s

 The Good Mistress (TV Movie 2014) 4.5 out of 10 ⭐'s

SYNOPSIS:

Sandy Cooper (Annie Heise) has had a rough couple of years. While away at her freshman year of college, both her parents were killed in a car accident. What's worse, Sandy was on the phone with her parents, when the tragedy occurred. Instead of finishing her education, she began drinking. Soon, alcohol was her only friend left, and one fateful night, she hit a small boy on a bicycle. Sandy could sink no lower, this was her rock bottom. This horrible mistake also required she make changes, and admit she had a problem. She lost everything, but after rehab, the court generously offered her five years probation. Now, thanks to her old friend, Karen Waterford (Kendra Anderson), she's relocating to Shelter Hills, and starting a new job at Karen's law firm. She hasn't kept in touch with Karen since before her parents died, but they used to be close, and she looking forward to being a part of Karen's life again. Sandy's life is turning around, but she's still taking it one day at a time. So, when she meets a new guy while grocery shopping, she takes his number, but decides not to call him. He says his name is "Sam," and he appears to be a nice guy, but Sandy isn't ready for a relationship yet. However, when she runs into Sam again, this time at a diner, it seems like fate. Sandy decides one date couldn't hurt, but the date turns into a passionate night together. Sandy feels like her life is changing for the better, until she meets Karen's husband, David (Antonio Cupo), for the first time. It turns out David is a serial philanderer, who calls himself "Sam," to his conquests. Now Sandy has to decide if she tells Karen about David, or just keeps quiet. Sandy has also uncovered disturbing coincidences about David's other mistresses. They either disappear, or meet a gruesome end. Can Sandy uncover what's happening in Shelter Hills, or will she suffer a similar fate?

WHAT WORKS:

*ANNIE HEISE DOES A GREAT JOB AS SANDY COOPER 

Annie Heise is fantastic as the damaged, girl next door. It's a believable character, and Annie Heise plays it well.

Annie Heise as Sandy Cooper

*MRS. LOGAN'S RESPONSE TO SANDY, WHEN SHE SAYS SHE "UNDERSTANDS" IS SPOT ON Never tell a grieving person you understand, UNLESS you've actually been there, and experienced the same type of loss. It's insulting to those who are grieving, and Mrs. Logan (P. Lynn Johnson) is right to put Sandy in her place. It's a nice touch, and makes the script feel more authentic.

P. Lynn Johnson as Mrs. Logan

*CREEPY MANAGER FRANKLIN IS HILARIOUS Paul Jarrett does an excellent job as Franklin, the apartment manager. He's an ancillary character, but effective.

Paul Jarrett as Franklin

WHAT DOESN'T WORK:

*CHEESY PLOT DEVICE WITH SHERIFF AT BEGINNING No cop would demand to see  someone's driver's license, because she acted "nervous," AFTER her car wouldn't start, AND after she told him she was late to a job interview. Most cops would know that's a sure fire road to a complaint, and again it doesn't feel like a real interaction.

*FORESHADOWING IS A BIT TOO OBVIOUS Sandy and Karen's conversation about Karen working summers in her Dad's garage, is a bit telegraphed, as far as foreshadowing goes. The conversation is clunky, it doesn't feel genuine, so the viewer knows it's there for some reason, probably bad foreshadowing. It should have been added to the conversation, in a natural way, so it's not so obvious. Also, the constant references to the cabin in pictures and conversation, is also obvious foreshadowing. 

*IN SMALL TOWNS, WHERE THERE'S CORRUPTION, IT'S BETTER TO CALL THE STATE POLICE That's how they ended up bringing down Drew Peterson, LISK, and many other small town killers.

*I'M GOING TO SAY THIS AGAIN, LOUDER THIS TIME, FOR THE CHEAP SEATS, STOP BASTARDIZING THE LAW FOR YOUR MOVIES!!!!! I'm so sick of seeing the law misused, for the sake of a plot device! The sheriff says two cards, exactly the same, with the same handwriting, is circumstantial evidence?! WHAT! IT'S PHYSICAL, TESTABLE EVIDENCE! One of them was written by the boyfriend of a murder victim, the last person seen with her, isn't that more than circumstantial? 

*AGAIN IDIOTS! AN ANONYMOUS, UNSUBSTANTIATED REPORT, IS NOT ENOUGH TO VIOLATE SOMEONE'S PAROLE! These kind of plot holes remind me of when I would play Barbies, when I was ten. It was fine for ten year old me, but this movie is for an adult audience, who should f-ing know better, and so should Ron Oliver and James Shavick, the writers!

*PROBATION AND PAROLE ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS In this movie, they constantly say parole, one minute, and probation, the next. Make up your mind.

*JUDGEMENTAL INCOMPETENT BOOBS DON'T TEND TO GET THE GIRL The no account, douchy sheriff, riding off with the girl at the end, is laughable. Throughout the whole movie, he's judgmental about her past, accusatory during the traffic stop, and disbelieving about her theories (mainly due to CYA). Those aren't qualities women value in a mate. I guess these days, the fact he has a job, might be enough.

Jeremy Guilbaut as Sheriff Grady Williams

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

*This is not the worst made-for-tv movie ever made, but it sure ain't the best either. If you like melodramatic, made-for-tv thrillers, you might like this. If you're looking for deep, complex plotlines and characters, look elsewhere.