Deadly Illusions movie review 2021

MOVIE TITLE: Deadly Illusions

Currently playing on Netflix and available on June 1, 2021 on Video on Demand. For what it’s worth, this is not an actual Netflix movie. Netflix simply used their distribution. I mention that because Netflix has been pumping out some incredible movies and performances ever since the pandemic began.

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 54 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

I was intrigued to watch this movie because I’m an author and author coach. The film’s description says: After a bestselling novelist suffering from writer’s block hires a new nanny for her children, the line between fiction and reality starts to blur.

It’s a psychological, erotic thriller that is so badly executed that I’m giving you fair warning here.

THINGS I LIKED:

Fans of Sex and the City will be excited to see Kristin Davis starring in a feature film. Unfortunately, she’s not a strong enough actress to save this film. Her character is conflicted in many ways. I thought it was sweet that, as a mom, she had different handshakes to say goodbye to each of her kids when she dropped them off at school.
Greer Grammer stars in the movie and also produces it.
I liked the original musical soundtrack by Drum & Lace.
Every author’s writing process is different. In the movie, we see Kristen Davis’ character writing her book with pen and paper, rather than on a computer. I have some author clients who do that. We also see her create a storyboard on a big board, a technique I recommend to my clients because it really helps you “see” the story develop and allows you to be very intentional where you place certain scenes.
Husbands and wives need to be extremely careful in order to protect their marriage from external relationships and impropriety. For example, my husband NEVER drove home our female babysitters. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust him or our sweet babysitters. Too many crazy things can happen based on what other people think could have happened, you know? It’s just not worth it. No, people shouldn’t assume or judge, yet they do.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Even the title isn’t original. So many books have been written with the same name.
I’m surprised that Dermot Mulroney went for this script.
Weird and creepy. I mean who takes a complete stranger bra shopping? That’s the first scene when you realize the movie is ridiculous and it just gets worse.
It’s often hard to know what’s really happening and what’s fantasy. Of course, that’s the point because the protagonist can’t either. Then again, the execution and writing are so bad that it makes you wonder if the writer and director even knew.
There are some really terrible acting moments.
There’s a terribly cliched flower moment.
Lots of exposition.
There are twists but they’re ridiculous with so many details that don’t make sense. We’re left with more questions because Act 3 is a complete mess.
There were some “Gollum” moments that made me laugh out loud. (The psycho hobbit in the Lord of the Rings)

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

This movie is NOT appropriate for children. Plus, they’ll be bored anyway.
You see a married couple rolling around under the sheets. Then later, they do it in a kitchen closet.
You see some skin when two best friends are in a spa sauna & shower.
A pretty girl wears an immodest bathing suit. You see her in a bra many times.
The mom smokes cigars as a symbol of her warped and developing manly obsessions of a young girl.
A woman goes skinny dipping in the pool. Later, you see part of her naked chest in a bathtub.
Tons of inappropriate sexual illusions.
Two women kiss.
You see some blood in a murder scene.
Some profanity, crude language, and an F-bomb
You see the naked backside of a man in a shower
Violence

THEMES:

Family, parenting
Love vs Lust
Truth
Trust
Infidelity
Appearances
Mental health

FUNNY LINES:

None. The movie has no humor, only drama.

INTERESTING LINES:

“You know what I feel most sexy? Your brilliance.” – Tom Morrison (Dermot Mulroney)
“That’s bad of me to think of her like that, right?” – Mary Morrison (Kristin Davis) Ummm, really? You have to ask someone if that’s wrong?
“Lean into the dark. That’s where your best stuff is.” – Rick (Cajardo Lindsey)