'Mommy Is A Murderer' Review: Lifetime thriller is like an Enid Blyton mystery, but lacks a clear motive
Would you put on your detective glasses and snoop around if there was a suspicious kidnapping mystery right under your nose? A typical whodunnit drama narrative catches you in its grip as the movie begins with an abduction of a beautiful, little three-year-old girl, Emily.
Five years down the rabbit hole, an Enid Blyton-style suspense keeps a children's store owner Karina (Bree Williamson) busy. With her deep-vested interest in solving the puzzles, she could easily pass for a carbon copy of Sherlock Holmes, who knows! (Ha, of course, we're kidding, but yes, she's close! Still kidding!)
Her suspicions begin when she stumbles upon a young lady named Lena (Heather McComb) and her daughter Mallie (Josie M. Parker). They strike a lovely conversation and Karina sews up a lovely fairy dress for the girl. Soon, however, she begins to suspect that Mallie isn’t Lena’s daughter at all, but a girl named Emily who was kidnapped from her biological parents several years ago. Ryan (Jason Cermak), as the loving partner of Karina, does a good job as the support system.
A man in the shadows, a wound on the head, gunshots and a bandaid to hide the birthmark — the signs are there and if not for Karina's determination to stick to the case — even a fifth-grade kid could have solved it. But the second part of the movie does make you wonder: Where are the cops and why is Karina suddenly investigating into every aspect of the case? No, don't get us wrong, the suspense builds at each step and will make you wrack your brain at several junctions but it might also make you a little impatient. Disappointingly, the motive behind the crime is quite vague and the twist, in the end, isn't satisfying enough.
Sadly, the movie has the same ingredients as every other murder mystery, but once mixed together in a melting pot, they make the movie an intriguing watch. Picturesque landscapes, pleasing color palettes, and exquisite interiors spill brilliance in every frame. If nothing else, pretty faces, chic costumes and lavish lifestyles of the characters will enamor you and keep you hooked.
The performances are top-notch and the direction is middlingly impressive. So, if you have nothing better to do, curl up in your warm blanket with a cup of coffee and enjoy the mystery unfold in this two-and-a-half star Lifetime movie.