"Desertion" is a Hallmark card to all women caught in a deteriorating marriage(October 25th, 2008)

"DESERTION" - REVIEW

"Desertion" is a Hallmark card to all women caught in a deteriorating marriage. Skillfully written and directed by Francine Michelle this romantic drama stars Kim Rhodes(The Suite Life of Zach and Cody), Brian Krause(Charmed), Robert Maschio(Scrubs), Patricia Belcher(Bones/Jeepers Creepers), and Bart Johnson(High School Musical). Kim Rhodes portrays Jane Nichols, an ad executive with the perfect job, the perfect husband, and the perfect penthouse right on Central Park. But one day she starts to see the hairline cracks in her “perfect world’.

Her job is chaotic, she keeps throwing up, and then a test reveals she's pregnant. Her husband(Robert Maschio) is an artist who waits idly for inspiration and demands much more from this marriage than he contributes. His narcissistic nit picking strikes an irritable nerve and his lovemaking leaves much to be desired. The next morning blood on the bed sheets indicates she's had a miscarriage and she decides to take stock of her life. This woman who had everything suddenly leaves it all behind to search out the life she once dreamed of having.

Getting on a train to the "middle of nowhere" Jane finds herself in Waterloo, Indiana where she reevaluates who she was meant to be. After several mishaps she finds herself at the mercy of café owner(Patricia Belcher). When she can't pay her bill, she offers to work it off and acquires a job and lodging. And in the process she discovers the love(Brian Krause) that she was always meant to have.

While the film has numerous heartwarming situations, it is the consummate acting by this talented ensemble that keeps the audience deeply involved in this story. Kim Rhodes and Brian Krause, both veteran television actors, have us guessing as to the outcome of their characters' romantic relationship. They both skillfully display the vulnerability, wants and the desires of their individual character. Patricia Belcher brings to the screen that innate wisdom of an older woman who's seen it all and knows how to mend a broken heart. The cook portrayed by Freeman Coffey("Hard Ball"), is the skeptic in this story, yet he too takes to Jane's honesty and work ethics. Bart Johnson sympathetically portrays the role of the small town bartender, guardian, arbitrator, and confidant. Robert Maschio plays the problem husband, the catalyst that drives this story with his callous self-centered demands. While at times over the top, he's the irritation that festers in this wounded marriage.

Productions values are first rate and the photography brings to light the contrast between an affluent cold relationship with that of a meager warm loving one. The music tenderly plays on the heartstrings with its primarily simple piano score. It leads, comments, and speculates with just the right touch and never intrudes on the story. Editing and sound are both professionally done. The film was shot in Chicago during the writer's strike making it a casting opportunity like that of a perfect storm. And the result is a feel-good movie that steals your heart.

Review by
Erik Sean McGiven

Sounds like a great movie.

Yes it does...after reading this I wanna watch it even more

..."and in the process she discovers the love (BK) that she was meant to have"....oh my...this sounds like one of those tearjearkers that I like

I hope we're able to see this movie....i can't wait...I'm so glad they gave credit to the awesome actors on this one...lol