Unstable (2009)

Lifetime decides to do an updated version of Gaslight. Shiri Appleby is Megan who is recovering from a mental breakdown. She comes from a wealthy family, her father is in the security business and she has been supported in her recovery by her mother and step sister.She gets caught up in a whirlwind romance with a nice guy bank clerk Woody (David Alpay) but soon after she gets married puzzling things happen such as things being misplaced which makes her doubt her sanity.Megan believes to doubt her husband and thinks she is sabotaging her life and making her believe she is unstable again but for what purpose? Even her family are unsure of her mental state.This is very much a run of the mill Lifetime thriller. It kind of feels and looks low key and cheap. Decent enough performances although Kathy Baker is wasted. The film never manages to be even average though.

Thriller about a new bride who has had mental problems. She weds a bank teller and the fun really begins.Megan and Woody are our lovely couple. Unfortunately, not exactly lovely.When I saw this film, the 1944 hit "Gaslight" with Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer immediately came to mind.This new film succeeds because it is paced extremely well and you are left wondering if Megan is really off her rocker or is there a conspiracy involving all or some family members.After a while, things are happening in such rapid succession that you begin to wonder that all is not kosher with the newlyweds. What's going on with the blouse, the cell keys, the phone, emailing private business to others, and all other sorts of mayhem?Kathy Baker stars as our victim's mother. She does the best she can with a script that really limits her role.

A whirlwind courtship has newlywed (Shiri Appleby)thinking she's in bliss. She's the beloved daughter of a wonderful set of wealthy parents and has a tight relationship with her stepsister. She was in an abusive relationship in the past and her psychiatrist had been working with her on her precarious mental state much of it having to do with that abusive lover from the past. From day one of her courtship with her lover turned husband little things were happening, things misplaced,and more. She's trying valiantly to hold on to her sanity and decide if her husband wants her unstable or she sabotaging herself. I liked her spunk.This new TV movie is is a bit predictable but a decent entry to to this genre.

This was easy to figure out from beginning. However, I was rooting for the hero. For Sheri Appleby was plain obnoxious in the role. As a plain Jane who is a fruit cake. She got on my nerves all the way through. I wanted her to not get rescued by the idiot, I think played by Michael Barbuto. The minute he got nosy and entered her apartment, I turned off the channel as I didn't want to see her survive. She was that dreadful. Please, no more Appleby. A shame to see the likes of Kathy Baker in the thankless role of Appleby's mother. She's usually good in all she does. But this was a mistake. Sorry Kathy, you have done so much more important work.The hero, played by David Alpay was great and convincing who won my vote. I wanted him to win the battle. To have to put up with the likes of his fruit cake wife, should win him a medal in the first place. When he and his accomplice caught her spying, I was hoping they'd do her in right away. Get rid of her for good. But alas, the movies never give that choice to their audience. We have to suffer with the heroine winning, which in this case was a big mistake. I also liked Samantha Walker who did a great job as the sister.To sum up this nonsense; Sheri Appleby needed to get her surmise in this viewer's mind. And the charming Alpay should have won the fortune. For putting up with a loony wife.