Bailey's Mistake (2001) (TV)

Director:

Michael M. Robin

Writer (WGA):

Oliver Goldstick (written by)

Release Date:

18 March 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Tonight, one family will leave the past behind and begin the adventure of a lifetime.

Plot:

A widow and her children arrive at the mysterious island where her late husband had secretly purchased property.

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Linda Hamilton	...	Liz Donovan
Kyle Secor	...	Lowell Lenox
Jesse James	...	Dylan Donovan
Paz de la Huerta	...	Becca Donovan
Richard Burgi	...	Paul Donovan
Julianne Christie	...	Jasmine
Kris Lemche	...	Malachy
John Marshall Jones	...	Tyler
David Norona	...	Father Miguel
Dawn Greenhalgh	...	Irene
Joan Plowright	...	Aunt Angie
Jefferson Mappin	...	Toby
Leslie Carlson	...	Stableman
Peter Blais	...	Charlie
Jeremy Akerman	...	Old Salt

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Company:

Shephard / Robin Productions

Confusing film full of inconsistencies

Granted, as this was a "Wonderful World of Disney" film, my expectations were not high before even viewing this. But in the past at least most films by Disney at least made some logical sense. No such luck with this turkey and it left me with many unanswered questions, flying children, electrified wooden picket fences and underwear chomping goats aside. Clueless woman discovers after the death of hubby that he blew their lifesavings on an island?!? And she didn't know? First of all, that alone is a stretch but to find out that he had lied to her about his entire background and upbringing as well was unbelievable. Linda Hamilton plays the wife, Mrs. Donavan like she is sleep-walking instead of the boiling anger most women would feel to discover their entire marriage was a lie. She goes to Bailey's Mistake, Maine to see what she has inherited and exactly how fast she can dump it. She meets her late husbands family, featuring more quirks and oddballs than the daily dose on the Springer show. Predictably they want her to hang onto the property so they can continue to live there but Liz wants to sell it to the local devil/rich guy/landowner (Kyle Secor playing Lowell Lennox, he seems to be phoning in his performance from a great distance) so he can put in a golf course. The rest of the film follows a oh so preposterous, predictable course, the locals persuade her to sell to them and they tell Mr. Lennox (the Devil) to take a hike and go eat more Oreos. And we STILL don't know what the deal is with the goat. Since this production was filled with excellent actors such as Joan Plowright, Kyle Secor and Linda Hamilton I expected better but never underestimate the power of mediocrity.