Mary Higgins Clark - You Belong To Me (DVD)

...from the novel written by Mary Higgins Clarke the accomplished author of sixteen suspense novels and three collection of short stories

== The story ==

Dr. Susan Chandler ( Lesley Ann Down), a clinical Psychologist with a thriving practice and at the same time had established something of a public persona as host of a popular Radio program - Ask Dr Susan - that aired each weekday. The listeners loved her and she in turn ...
...Paolo Barzman
Writers: Irina Diether, Mary Higgins Clark
Producers: John F.S. Laing, Larry Jacobson, Lisa Parasyn, Sonny Grosso
Format: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Language: English
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number of discs: 1
Run Time: 95 minutes
  ... more

The story for this film has been adapted from the novel written by Mary Higgins Clarke the accomplished author of sixteen suspense novels and three collection of short stories

The story

Dr. Susan Chandler ( Lesley Ann Down), a clinical Psychologist with a thriving practice and at the same time had established something of a public persona as host of a popular Radio program - Ask Dr Susan - that aired each weekday. The listeners loved her and she in turn enjoyed interacting and doling out advise to those in trouble or with personal problems.
On one of the occasions when she uses her call- in -radio show to explore the issue of lonesome women who disappear and are later found to have been victims of seductive killers, she has no way of knowing that she is exposing herself and those close to her to the very horror that she had been warning others against..

After a listener calls in offering information about the mysterious disappearance of a wealthy investment advisor Regina Clausse , while on a cruise, from a Luxury liner- the caller who calls herself as Karen, an almost victim, who tells of meeting a man on a cruise who gave her a ring inscribed 'You Belong to Me', but then disappeared when she refused to leave the ship with him, meets with a terrible accident even as she is on her way to post some important evidence to Susan..
An eye witness who called it a deliberate act, that Karen was pushed under a speeding van is found murdered before the police get her statement and the description of the murderer.
As Susan begins to investigate, she finds herself in a race against time - the assasin targeting not only vulnerable women but anyone who might offer clues to his identity. Inching closer to the truth, Susan makes some shocking discoveries , that the killer may be an important figure in her own life and that she herself might be marked for murder !

My views about this film

I would say that the book was more interesting than the film. This has happened with many popular novels , when they were filmed except, probably the Bourne series where both were equally good.
The problem with the film is that it is lacking in every department. the script, acting and direction.

Susan, the very attractive leading lady , played by Lesley Ann Down fails to impress- according to the novel is a strong willed , family oriented person - sensitive to other's needs giving warmth and the much needed support to her lonely mother. Whereas her sister ( Kate Trotter ) turns out to be a selfish, self centered person looking for opportunities, even at the cost of destroying Susan's happiness.

The climax was a shocker and I was quite unprepared for it, inspite of having read the book ..
But on the whole , I personally felt that the reasons for the killings were just not acceptable- it somehow made one wish that the story had some stronger points regarding the motive for the killings . That is a major flaw here...The song ' You belong to me ' and its implications somehow seem very flimsy and not reason enough for all those killings ..
On the whole I would safely say that the film is watchable if you have not already read the book. It keeps one's absorbed because of the interesting plot.
But if you have already read the book you may be in for a disappointment, as you tend to compare the film with the book, which in my opinion was better..
I would rate it 3 out of five since it is not a bad watch quite satisfactory.

== DVD Details ==

Actors: Lesley-Anne Down, Tony De Santis, Barclay Hope, Daniel Morgenroth, Kate Trotter
Directors: Paolo Barzman
Writers: Irina Diether, Mary Higgins Clark
Producers: John F.S. Laing, Larry Jacobson, Lisa Parasyn, Sonny Grosso
Format: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Language: English
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number of discs: 1
Run Time: 95 minutes
 

...less