"Maneater" Review: Not What You'd Expect, But...
If you’ve seen the promos or posters for or even just heard the title of the new Lifetime mini-series, “Maneater,” you probably think you know what it’s about.
But unless you’ve read Gigi Levangie Grazer’s (“The Starter Wife”) book that it’s based on, trust me. You have no idea…
Sarah Chalke is Clarissa Alpert, a Hollywood it girl who is the very definition of a maneater. But after her latest one-night stand is a bust, Clarissa decides she’s ready to settle down and sets out to plan her wedding. All she needs is the groom. And so she sets her sights on Aaron (Phillip Winchester, “Crusoe”), an up-and-coming movie producer. But what Clarissa doesn’t count on is that Aaron can play the game as well as she can.
Helping her along the way are her friends, Gravy (Judy Greer), a drug addict in love with a married man; Jennifer (Marla Sokoloff), a too sweet woman who refuses to stand up to her rich parents; and Polo (Noureen Dewulf), a self-involved hypochondriac. Standing in her way is her ex-boyfriend Simon (Paul Leyden). Also there to cause her strife are her divorced parents Teddy (Gregory Harrison) and Alejandra (Maria Conchita Alonso).
There are few actresses on television as charming as Sarah Chalke and that is no different here. And if you’re concerned about seeing her as a self-involved socialite, don’t worry. That role doesn’t last long as the movie plunges into a roller coaster of drama, humor, romance and tragedy.
As I said, it’s not at all what you might think…
But in this case, that’s a good thing, because instead of another shallow woman learns the meaning of caring about other people story, you get something with more layers and enough twists to make your head spin. Granted, you’ll probably see those twists coming, but that doesn’t make them any less interesting.
The real highlight of the mini-series, however is the outstanding cast. Judy Greer is always phenomenal and Phillip Winchester is a great leading man. And Gregory Harrison is still sexy, even with gray hair. Plus, he gets a moment in part two that is guaranteed to make you reach for the tissues.
“Maneater” may not be what you’d expect, but it’s definitely what you’ll want to spend your weekend watching.
But unless you’ve read Gigi Levangie Grazer’s (“The Starter Wife”) book that it’s based on, trust me. You have no idea…
Sarah Chalke is Clarissa Alpert, a Hollywood it girl who is the very definition of a maneater. But after her latest one-night stand is a bust, Clarissa decides she’s ready to settle down and sets out to plan her wedding. All she needs is the groom. And so she sets her sights on Aaron (Phillip Winchester, “Crusoe”), an up-and-coming movie producer. But what Clarissa doesn’t count on is that Aaron can play the game as well as she can.Helping her along the way are her friends, Gravy (Judy Greer), a drug addict in love with a married man; Jennifer (Marla Sokoloff), a too sweet woman who refuses to stand up to her rich parents; and Polo (Noureen Dewulf), a self-involved hypochondriac. Standing in her way is her ex-boyfriend Simon (Paul Leyden). Also there to cause her strife are her divorced parents Teddy (Gregory Harrison) and Alejandra (Maria Conchita Alonso).
There are few actresses on television as charming as Sarah Chalke and that is no different here. And if you’re concerned about seeing her as a self-involved socialite, don’t worry. That role doesn’t last long as the movie plunges into a roller coaster of drama, humor, romance and tragedy.
As I said, it’s not at all what you might think…
But in this case, that’s a good thing, because instead of another shallow woman learns the meaning of caring about other people story, you get something with more layers and enough twists to make your head spin. Granted, you’ll probably see those twists coming, but that doesn’t make them any less interesting.
The real highlight of the mini-series, however is the outstanding cast. Judy Greer is always phenomenal and Phillip Winchester is a great leading man. And Gregory Harrison is still sexy, even with gray hair. Plus, he gets a moment in part two that is guaranteed to make you reach for the tissues.“Maneater” may not be what you’d expect, but it’s definitely what you’ll want to spend your weekend watching.
In fact, my only disappointment with the mini-series is that there is no Hall and Oates...
“Maneater” airs Saturday, May 30th and Sunday, May 31st at 9 p.m. on Lifetime…
Photos Credit: Richard Foreman/Lifetime Networks
“Maneater” airs Saturday, May 30th and Sunday, May 31st at 9 p.m. on Lifetime…
Photos Credit: Richard Foreman/Lifetime Networks
