This is the highest rating I've ever given a Lifetime movie. There are many, many things wrong with this, including the standard and stupid trick of leaving a door open, having someone appear out of nowhere right behind you, having visions of horrible things that aren't happening, becoming fast friends with people just because they happen to be in your neighborhood, and the worst one of all: the fact that apparently there are no other people in the entire universe related to the characters in this movie. In other words: except for Maria, not one person in this movie has a sibling, a parent, a friend outside of town, or any other family member. This is virtually impossible. So, that is a big fail.
But if we put those bits of insanity behind us, the film makes a strong effort to show how one woman's post-partum depression puts her at the edge of madness. She's moved to a new town, doesn't have a single friend, and, of course, the first person she befriends is "Grace," the most beautiful woman in town. But Grace has horrible, horrible, horrible secrets. If you pay close attention, you'll probably figure them out, but if not, stick with the movie because it does pay off in the end.
I think that Leah Pipes, as "Natalie," deserves a mention, because she was very "real." She had skin problems and they didn't try to cover it up. But she had a killer smile, beautiful eyes, and she could bring that depressed sadness and tears at a moment's notice.
It drags a bit at the start, and there is a lot of talking and a lot of scenes of people drinking or pouring drinks or talking about drinks. And the director seemed to think it was important to get shots of those drinks. I'm not sure why. But if you can hold on until the last 20 minutes, there are shocks galore.
Two other things that bothered me: the film is supposed to be about Natalie and how she copes (or doesn't) with her post-partum depression, but for several stretches it focuses on Maria and her issues with her philandering husband Tony. So, we kind of lose our focus for a while.
Also, in the last birthday scene, where on earth was Roz? She was a part of the group from the beginning, but she is inexplicably gone at the end? I'd love to know why.
Otherwise, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised for a shocking 20 minute last act, which, if you are paying attention, is pretty well set up and pays off great.
But if we put those bits of insanity behind us, the film makes a strong effort to show how one woman's post-partum depression puts her at the edge of madness. She's moved to a new town, doesn't have a single friend, and, of course, the first person she befriends is "Grace," the most beautiful woman in town. But Grace has horrible, horrible, horrible secrets. If you pay close attention, you'll probably figure them out, but if not, stick with the movie because it does pay off in the end.
I think that Leah Pipes, as "Natalie," deserves a mention, because she was very "real." She had skin problems and they didn't try to cover it up. But she had a killer smile, beautiful eyes, and she could bring that depressed sadness and tears at a moment's notice.
It drags a bit at the start, and there is a lot of talking and a lot of scenes of people drinking or pouring drinks or talking about drinks. And the director seemed to think it was important to get shots of those drinks. I'm not sure why. But if you can hold on until the last 20 minutes, there are shocks galore.
Two other things that bothered me: the film is supposed to be about Natalie and how she copes (or doesn't) with her post-partum depression, but for several stretches it focuses on Maria and her issues with her philandering husband Tony. So, we kind of lose our focus for a while.
Also, in the last birthday scene, where on earth was Roz? She was a part of the group from the beginning, but she is inexplicably gone at the end? I'd love to know why.
Otherwise, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised for a shocking 20 minute last act, which, if you are paying attention, is pretty well set up and pays off great.