Lifetime Review: 'Framed by My Husband'
Good acting and adequate pacing keep this Lifetime thriller from slipping to the bottom of the bargain bin.
Synopsis:
June Lowe (Christine Chatelain) has a life plenty of women would envy, being married to successful novelist Rick Lowe (Dan Payne). But between struggling to start her own writing career and disagreeing with Rick over having a child, not everything about her financially cushy life is perfect. But no amount of marital strife could prepare June for what she found at her front door: a letter from a woman claiming Rick sexually assaulted her and saying that she'll go public with her accusation if she isn't paid off. Believing in her husband's innocence and wanting to protect his career, June agrees to bring Rick's blackmailer the money--only to be stunned to find her dead when she arrives. What's worse is that when the police come to question her, Rick not only spills the beans about the extortion attempt, but paints the situation to make June look suspicious! Arrested and with no one to turn to, it's up to June to escape police custody, clear her name, and bring the truth about Rick Lowe to light.
Story:
While it shares plenty of plot points in common with My Husband's Deadly Past, Framed by My Husband doesn't rise to its level of intensity. The story kicks off just as quickly as that of its 2020 counterpart and there's a good deal of tension to be had as June works to expose the twisted double life Rick is trying to keep covered up. But when it comes to having a sense of urgency, Framed by My Husband just doesn't have the same spark. Not even Rick's repulsive actions have the same bite as the deeds of MHDP's Otto Croft, thanks in part to how they're mostly kept offscreen and aren't dwelled on for too long. It's not enough to make you want to check out of the movie completely, but there's a good chance your interest will start wavering as the plot settles into a rut.
Characters:
It's a pretty standard array of characters whose paint-by-numbers natures only make Framed by My Husband feel more derivative. The main trio consists of an average Lifetime heroine, her outwardly charming husband who's secretly evil, and her supportive sister. The sister character is the only one whose arc throughout the story strays from the beaten path--albeit only slightly. Instead of being 100% on June's side from the start, Maggie dismisses her sister's justified concerns that Rick doesn't respect her and is initially too overwhelmed by all the incriminating evidence against June to listen when she tries to warn her about Rick. While you're likely to get frustrated with Maggie's lack of faith in her sister's innocence, seeing how frazzled she is throughout the film makes it easier to understand why she acts the way she does. With June and Rick, however, their characterizations are nothing that hasn't been showcased in dozens of other Lifetime movies.
Acting:
It's through Christine Chatelain and Dan Payne's acting that June and Rick avoid becoming unbearably bland. Chatelain gives a solid lead performance as a woman fighting for justice, and apart from some overwrought moments, Payne is stellar as an unapologetically vicious predator. The two share good chemistry when it initially appears June and Rick are a loving couple just going through a rough patch and both actors are at their best when their characters are at their emotional peaks. Rebecca Roberts plays Maggie in a way where you can tell that, even in her lowest moments, she hasn't completely turned against her sister. As such, once you get past her mild flakiness and naivete, you're bound to feel bad for Maggie as she struggles to keep herself together during such a tumultuous time.
Nia Cummins and Dalias Blake do well as the non-annoying investigators assigned to June's case, especially once Detectives DeAngelo and Channing see Rick for who he is and start piecing together the truth. The last notable supporting cast member is Jessie Liang as Ava, a woman connected to Rick's secret life in a horrific way. While Ava only appears for one scene, Liang will have your heart aching for the poor woman and hoping she can find closure despite her unfortunate circumstances.
Overall:
With its familiar story and unimaginative main characters, Framed by My Husband doesn't do a whole lot to stand out in Lifetime's movie catalog. Its solid cast roster and serviceable plotting are what keep it from sliding further down the rating scale. In short: if you're a Lifetime fan in need of a movie to watch while you kill time or rearrange your novel collection, Framed by My Husband would make a fine choice.
Score: 6 out of 10 empty movie theaters.
About the Creator
Trevor Wells
Aspiring writer and film lover: Lifetime, Hallmark, indie, and anything else that strikes my interest. He/him.
Twitter: @TrevorWells98
Instagram: @trevorwells_16
Email: [email protected]
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Comments (2)
Splendid review!!!
Amazing review as always!