This new mystery movie certainly had initial appeal, with a cast that seemed promising. However, several elements prevented it from fully realizing its potential. While the actors were generally likeable, certain plot choices and character developments felt weak and ultimately detracted from the overall viewing experience.
One of the most significant issues lies within the subplot involving the brother of the lead character, Casey McNamara. This character arc, intended to drive McNamara’s investigation and demonstrate her commitment to “True Justice: Family Ties,” ultimately feels forced and unnecessary. The narrative contrivance of the brother taking the victim’s necklace is introduced somewhat clumsily. Viewers need to pay close attention to the early dialogue to even grasp the brother’s supposed motive. The entire setup feels artificial. Instead of creating a brother character and a fabricated reason for McNamara’s involvement, the writers could have easily motivated her by the death of a close, estranged friend. The brother, portrayed by Sam Ashe Arnold, adds little of substance to the story. His backstory and relationship with Casey seem like underdeveloped filler, bloating the script without adding meaningful depth to the exploration of “true justice: family ties”.
Furthermore, while the lead actress portraying McNamara delivers an adequate performance, some aspects of her portrayal are distracting. Her emotional scenes, particularly when crying, come across as somewhat unconvincing. Additionally, the choice of bleached blonde hair for the character feels like a stylistic misstep, drawing unnecessary attention and detracting from the seriousness of the role.
The movie also attempts to introduce a romantic subplot between McNamara and the character Liam. This pairing feels somewhat awkward. A connection with the character PJ might have been a more natural and logical direction. However, this romantic thread feels underdeveloped and ultimately goes nowhere, unless it is intended to be explored further in a sequel. This leaves the audience questioning its purpose and relevance to the core theme of “true justice: family ties.”
In terms of production, a noticeable continuity error occurs during the initial meeting between the group and Liam. Inconsistent wardrobe details for McNamara are visible across consecutive shots. While a minor detail, this kind of oversight can be distracting and detract from the viewer’s immersion, even in a light-hearted production. It’s a small error, typical perhaps for the genre, but noticeable nonetheless.
Interestingly, the movie seems to overlook an opportunity to deepen the theme of justice. There is no mention of reopening a previous case involving a second victim who was killed before the main events of the story. Exploring this secondary case could have added layers to the narrative and strengthened the exploration of “true justice: family ties” within a broader context of past and present wrongs.
Regarding legal accuracy, I will defer to experts on the specifics of legal procedures and evidence handling depicted. However, it is likely that the methods employed by the intern characters in obtaining and handling evidence are not entirely realistic. This is a common trope in such movies, prioritizing entertainment over strict adherence to legal protocol.
Finally, the movie employs a trend common in this production house: cameo appearances by familiar faces. While these cameos, featuring actors like Deloach and Ayres, might be intended as a fun nod to loyal viewers, they ultimately feel like distracting stunt casting. These roles could have been given to less established actors who could benefit from the exposure and potentially offer more believable portrayals of the characters. The reliance on these “over-exposed channel regulars” suggests a lack of confidence in the main cast’s ability to draw viewership, which is a somewhat disheartening approach to creating new and engaging content centered around “true justice: family ties.”
In conclusion, while this mystery movie had initial promise and a likeable cast, significant plot and character weaknesses, along with some production issues, prevent it from being truly compelling. The exploration of “true justice: family ties,” while intended to be central, feels somewhat diluted by unnecessary subplots and missed opportunities.
