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Lifetime Review: 'The Wrong Mommy'

Frustrating characters diminish an otherwise strong obsession thriller with perfect leads.

By Trevor WellsPublished 5 years ago 4 min read
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With her recent job promotion at the advertising firm she works for, the already busy Melanie Anderson (Jessica Morris) finds herself struggling to keep up with the demands of her job while still having time to spend with her husband Alex (Jason-Shane Scott) and young daughter Tina (Jillian Spitz). Desperate for help staying organized and on top of everything, Melanie searches for an assistant and finds the perfect candidate in Phoebe Sutton (Ashlynn Yennie), who initially appears to be an eager go-getter well suited for managing Melanie's hectic schedule.

But it doesn't take long for Melanie to notice oddities about her new assistant, starting with her overly flirtatious nature with both Alex and new client Roger Kirkland (Eric Roberts). Phoebe's behavior quickly becomes obsessive, leading to tension for Melanie at the office as well as with Alex, who disregards Melanie's concerns as overreaction. But it quickly becomes clear to Melanie that Phoebe is set on sabotaging her life, and as she begins working to stop her deranged assistant, Melanie discovers dark secrets from Phoebe's past that might explain her fixation on taking everything from her...

Over the course of his "The Wrong" series, David DeCoteau has assembled a strong cast to helm these movies, with many of those present in his first entry into the series (The Wrong Roommate) returning for this latest venture: along with those mentioned in the synopsis are Vivica A. Fox as Melanie's boss Samantha and Dominique Swain as minor character Kellyanne. Everyone brings their usual A-game to the table, with Morris and Ashlynn Yennie being the crown jewels of the film.

Morris not along gives Melanie instant likability, but the script additionally allows Melanie to almost become a genre savvy character, quick to pick up on Phoebe's oddities and react accordingly. As Melanie finds her life falling to shambles and people close to her turning against her thanks to Phoebe, Morris brings everything into Melanie's emotional turmoil, with one scene in which she desperately tries to convince Samantha of Phoebe's true nature to no avail highlighting Morris' ability.

On the other side of the table, Phoebe proves to be a very boastful and manipulating villainess, with Ashlynn Yennie clearly having a blast as Phoebe gloats to Melanie about how she intends to destroy her while putting a cloyingly false front of innocence to everyone else to make Melanie appear to be the one in the wrong. Combined, Yennie and Morris make for a powerful starring duo, making the film's climax an intense marvel to unfold as the strength of both actresses are shown in full force.

However, the rest of the usually strong cast of familiar faces is where The Wrong Mommy fumbles. While Eric Roberts excels in his limited screen time at playing the sleazy Roger Kirkland (who can best be described as a non-psychotic version of Dr. Albert Beck) and Dominique Swain is sympathetic as Kellyanne, Vivica A. Fox and Jason-Shane Scott don't fare as well. While neither give bad performances in their respective roles, Samantha and Alex both become such unlikable characters as the story progresses that neither Fox or Scott can do much to salvage them. Both all too easily side with Phoebe over Melanie, with Samantha even outright supporting Phoebe's act of professional sabotage against co-worker Laura (played by Ciarra Carter in a solid "genre savvy"-esque role, along with Jared Scott as Melanie's co-assistant Jason).

Alex fares little better in his continued moments of taking Phoebe's side over Melanie's, to the point where some might believe Phoebe's boasts that she had successfully seduced Alex as truth. Making matters worse is that neither Alex or Samantha receive comeuppance or even apologize to Melanie, leaving a bitter taste as the film ends with Melanie receiving no vindication for having been disbelieved by two people close in her life in favor of the word of a stranger.

(In a smaller frustrating moment, Phoebe successfully turns one of Melanie's old friends against her professionally by telling her how Melanie had kissed her boyfriend in college, in a move so ridiculously childish that you wish she would end up becoming the "Expendable Best Friend" trope)

Plotwise, The Wrong Mommy does well at keeping things moving at a consistent rate, allowing for Phoebe's villainy to unfold steadily and at a consistent rate and giving an almost meta tone to the proceedings through Melanie's quick awareness of Phoebe's true nature and her co-assistants wisening up at an even quicker rate. The film also contains a solid plot twist involving fresh familiar face to the "Wrong" franchise Dee Wallace in a solid cameo.

If one can get past the loathsome characters given to two of the film's talented stars, The Wrong Mommy is a well written and drama-packed thriller with Jessica Morris and Ashlynn Yennie giving strong performances as the film's leading ladies. Plus, if you're still jonesing for more Eric Roberts after the latest Stalked by my Doctor, his cameo here will give them a little something to clamor over. Despite my issues with the film, The Wrong Mommy can still carry my seal of approval, and here's hoping Vivica A. Fox and Jason-Shane Scott are given better roles to tackle in the upcoming Wrong Tutor.

Score: 8 out of 10 necktie-involved seduction tactics.

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About the Creator

Trevor Wells

Aspiring writer and film lover: Lifetime, Hallmark, indie, and anything else that strikes my interest. He/him.

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Twitter: @TrevorWells98

Instagram: @trevorwells_16

Email: [email protected]

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