User Reviews

While soundtrack music pulsates, a young man in denim searches for a terrified young woman. She hides under the bed to escape his clutches, but doesn't manage to get away. The next thing we see is a couple moving away from the city, attractive Ashley Bell (as Chloe) and her lawyerly husband Adam Mayfield (as Michael Anderson). They have been successfully trying to have a baby and Ms. Bell has had a nervous breakdown. The new neighborhood seems ideal, but the older couple next-door, retired psychiatrist Tom Amandes and early drinker Isabella Hofmann (as Gerald and Cheryl Dixon) give off creepy vibrations...

Bell does not watch "Lifetime" TV movies because she decides to get chummy with the neighbors...

Co-directors Devon Downs and Kenny Gage adequately guide this formula assignment, by writer Adam Rockoff. There is very little spark and only a few surprises. The opening "attention grabber" or "teaser" works, but is never fully explained; it doesn't make much sense. Bell jogs in the most unusual places, at all hours of the day, and on terrains most unwelcome to jogging. She would probably mistake a bed-of-nails for a trampoline. Probably, the explanation is that she is looking for places to photograph. The soundtrack songs are very good, but they should complement instead of taking you out of the story.

*** A Neighbor's Deception/ Next Door (4/8/2017) Devon Downs, Kenny Gage ~ Ashley Bell, Tom Amandes, Isabella Hofmann, Adam Mayfield

This movie is so terrible that I realize loneliness is the only thing that had me watching it until the end. The flow of this story is not palatable for me. I cannot figure out how Chloe's face (near the end of the movie) went from super clean in one second to bloody and wet in the next. This was a waste for me. The acting was terribly weird throughout the movie, yet I kept watching hoping things would get better. .... They didn't...

Love them or hate them, the nice thing about Lifetime original TV movies is that we almost always know what to anticipate. Whether thriller or romance, rare is the title that isn't predictable, built on tropes and a common approach, and often ham-handed, usually with at least one recognizable star attached. The thing is that some are gratifyingly earnest, and many others unreservedly embrace delightful B-movie bluster; there's a fair spectrum in between those two points, and one way or another those in the latter group are most consistently my favorites. It's a pity more people don't seem to understand how the network operates, but here we are; for what it's worth, I can understand how such works will not appeal to all comers. So in looking at 2017 thriller 'A neighbor's deception,' co-starring the wonderful Gates McFadden, abject quality becomes a secondary concern as we first ponder whether it will be an honest piece or a wild romp. We get our answer fairly quickly, and this picture clearly aims to count among the more earnest type, and all that's left is to assess how successful it is, and how worthwhile. For my part I don't think this is the best example of Lifetime's features, and there are deserved criticisms to make - but still, for those who are open to the style, it's suitably well done and enjoyable in at least some measure.

By and large every constituent part is quite fine; the flick is solid more than not. There are no especial faults to be discerned in the cinematography, editing, costume design, hair, or makeup; while it's only McFadden that I'm familiar with, I have no doubt that in the appropriate circumstances everyone in the cast would demonstrate swell acting skills without exception. The core ideas in Adam Rockoff's screenplay are firm foundation for a drama, Devon Downs and Kenny Gage's direction is technically sound, and in and of itself I like the music on hand. This is all splendid, and there's potential (to one degree or another) in the premise of a woman discovering that her new neighbor isn't all that they seem to be, and being drawn down a dangerous path.

Be all that as it may, there were certain choices made in various ways that aren't outright terrible, but which don't come off as well as someone thought they would, or which seem a step too far. Sometimes we're presented with musical selections of discordant electric guitars, driving beats, or harsh electronic sound that are just too out of step with the rest of the score or the otherwise tone. More significantly, between the guidance of the directors, or possibly the oversight of producers Michael Moran and Kimberly A. Ray, in some instances the acting seems overly forceful and unnatural, no matter what the intended mood of a scene, or a character's mindset. The same quite goes for the orchestration of scenes generally, feeling as if they're defined by unfavorably hard edges, and some of the editing. In a sequence right around the one-hour mark, for example, that surely fits the formula, we're given a take of protagonist Chloe frantically trying to decide the best course of action, and star Ashley Bell effectively dances in place so bizarrely that it's all but downright laughable. In terms of the writing, meanwhile, I repeat that Rockoff whipped up some good ideas. I don't think the pieces perfectly fit together, however, and they're less than convincing; just as some Lifetime films try to be earnest but are too far-fetched to achieve the desired effect, I think this is the case to some extent with 'A neighbor's deception,' too. More to the point, each idea and beat feels a tad gawky and heavy-handed, with a lack of the nuance and finesse that would help to fully sell the viewing experience.

That's a lot of critical verbiage, yet I don't think the sum total is outright bad. It remains at least somewhat better than not. I do think the title is a bit club-footed, and unworked, like sculpting material that hasn't been sufficiently softened or otherwise prepared before a young artist tries to shape it to their will. This includes the absolutely predictable reveal of the villain that we see coming almost from the start, a monolith on the horizon whose presence isn't specifically altered by the slightly more unexpected full explanation of the scenario; writing that grows even more heavy-handed in the back end; and acting and direction that come to actively forsake all semblance of graceful tact and subtlety. The movie adopts an unremittingly glaring tenor leading up to and at the climax that more closely resembles Lifetime's B-movie blasts (e.g., 'Wheels of beauty' or 'My killer client,'), yet still tries to maintain the appearance of being a straightforward thriller. Again: the pieces don't entirely fit together.

What it comes down to is that if you're the type of viewer who is in any way receptive to what the infamous TV network offers, you're apt to appreciate this in some capacity. If you're not, this definitely won't be the picture to change your mind. Part of me wonders if I'm not being too unkind in my assessment, but the fact of the matter is that the faults and weaknesses stack up. If you're at all on board with Lifetime originals and you happen to come across it, it's an okay way to spend ninety minutes; just temper your expectations, and don't go out of your way for it.

A NEIGHBOR'S DECEPTION (TV Movie 2017)

BASIC PLOT: Chloe Anderson (Ashley Bell) can finally see light, at the end of her dark tunnel. She's working to recover her inner strength, after a recent breakdown. Her husband, Michael (Adam Mayfield), has been her rock, always loyal and supportive. After trying for years to have a child, the stress of failure, drove Chloe into anxiety attacks, and bouts of paranoia. Unable to overcome her issues on her own, she sought inpatient care at a mental health facility. With that episode behind them, Chloe and Michael are looking forward to a new chapter in their lives. They're moving to a suburban neighborhood, far away from their urban existence, and the memories. There are still some problems. Michael often works twelve hour days as a lawyer, leaving Chloe alone with her demons. She's not coping well, until a chance meeting with her new neighbors, the Dixons, leads to a budding friendship. She discovers Gerald Dixon (Tom Amandes), is a retired psychiatrist. He notices Chloe's distress, and offers to treat her for free. At first she refuses, she knows Michael would not be happy with her decision to share their personal problems, with the new neighbors. But after a brutal panic attack, she agrees to Gerald's offer of help. Soon after, she receives cryptic phone calls, warning her to stay away from the Dixons. Then, an obituary for someone named, Caroline Rooker (Marissa Labog), appears in her mailbox. She's sure she's being watched, and maybe followed. Is Chloe strong enough to uncover what lies beneath the surface, of her new suburban paradise?

WHAT WORKS: *THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN CHLOE AND MICHAEL MAKES THE MOVIE WORK The chemistry between (Ashley Bell) and (Adam Mayfield), who play Chloe and Michael Anderson, feels authentic. They are easy with each, even intimate, and it seems like you're watching two people who care for one another. This believability adds a layer of depth to the movie, not often seen in the made-for-tv thriller. It also makes you root for this couple, to overcome their adversities, instead of just watching them crash and burn.

*THE DIALOG IS BELIEVABLE For the most part, all of the dialog in this movie is believable. The conversations are convincing, there's never an exchange that suspends your disbelief, and I often found myself wishing this had a bigger budget, or a sequel. Who wouldn't want to see more of Gerald Dixon (Tom Amandes)? (Hint, Hint: Adam Rockoff)

*GREAT PERFORMANCES FROM THE ANCILLARY ACTORS The peripheral characters all give outstanding performances. Gates McFadden is outstanding as Dr. Constance Abrams, an old colleague of Gerald Dixon's. I wish her scene had been extended. Ben Whalen's performance is also top notch. He embodies the sympathetic and grieving James Rooker, and evokes real compassion from the audience. He does his job so well, I am angry at his fate. Marissa Labog also delivers an expert performance as Caroline Rooker. She sets the mood for the film, by creating terror and suspense, in the opening scene.

*THE COVER ART WORKS The cover art represents the movie better than the trailer. However the tagline, "Be Careful Who You Trust..." needs some work.

*THE MUSIC IN THIS MOVIE IS BETTER THAN MOST Decent music in a movie adds emotionality and depth. In this case, the music is representative of Chloe's (Ashley Bell) inner feelings. During Chloe's anxiety attack, she blasts music, with words and tempo, that represents what she's doing and feeling. It's a nice touch, especially since Chloe is alone so much. It's a window into her inner struggle. The music was was written and performed by Mike Bennett and Rod Castro, both top tier studio musicians. I'm pretty sure it was created just for the movie, which is why it works so well.

WHAT DOESN'T WORK:

*TRAILER IS TERRIBLE! IT DOES NOT MAKE ME WANT TO WATCH THE MOVIE! Why does such a good movie, have such a terrible trailer? I find this time and time again, the voiceover script is laughable, and the guy reading it, needs to go back to doing toilet paper commercials. I do not believe there aren't scary sounding voiceover artists still out there. PLEASE FIND THEM, and put them to work.

TO RECOMMEND, OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IS THE QUESTION: *I highly recommend this movie to thriller fans. It is a made-for-tv movie, so there are some budget constraints, but the superior acting of the four leads, (Ashley Bell, Tom Amandes, Isabella Hofmann, and Adam Mayfield) more than makes up for it. (Also, look for a quality cameo from Gates McFadden) It is top tier in it's made-for-tv class, and a triumph for Adam Rockoff.

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 your expectations should be adjusted.

*I have no connection to the film, or production in ANY way. I am just an honest viewer, who wishes for more straight forward reviews, and more quality entertainment. Hope I helped you out. (This was not written by a bot, IN ANY WAY!)

It has the typical, predictable character sneaking into someone's house, snooping around. BUT, the music that plays during the snooping scene, is ON POINT! Love the lyrics because, they are so appropriate!