Two gorgeous couples decide to switch partners. What can go wrong? In "Open Marriage," we discover that anything and everything will go haywire after swapping spouses.
Last night, Lifetime premiered MarVista's "Open Marriage" (originally titled "To Have and To Kill") offering viewers an inside look at the consequences of free love. Of course, this is Lifetime, so there are the usual consequences (guilt, jealousy) and there are much deeper consequences (stalkers, guns, etc.).
The film introduces us to super couples Becca (Nikki Leigh) and Ron (Tilky Jones), and Max (Jason Tobias) and Mindy (Kelly Dowdle). Becca and Ron are happy enough although they are struggling financially and having trouble having a baby. And the passion in their marriage has dwindled a bit. On the other hand, Max and Mindy are living the dream. They're rich and make no secret of their sexy relationship. What's the secret to their happy marriage? They tell Becca and Ron that they have experimented with an open marriage and encourage them to do the same.
Becca and Ron are intrigued and decide to enter a tryst with their friends. One of the key rules is that each spouse is present during the other's "date," So, they switch partners a few times, and it's not long before the green-eyed monster enters the fray. After a night out at a discreet swingers sex club (think "Eyes Wide Shut" on a much lower budget), tensions rise when Becca and Max sneak to a separate room. Ron thinks enough's enough and cancels future dates with Max and Mindy...although they are still friends.
It's not easy to stop swinging though. Ron is drawn back to the club by a mysterious text and is drawn to a gorgeous woman. Meanwhile, a mysterious figure in a mask is watching his every move. Also, a car is mysteriously parked outside Ron and Becca's loft. It seems that a a steamy trip to sexier marriage has started to boil into something more sinister. Of course, there are more sordid details, but divulging them would ruin the movie for those who weren't glued to the TV last night.
This sounds like a typical Saturday night sleaze fest, but solid acting from all of the leads keeps things legit. Most effective are Jones and Leigh as the couple left reeling after the open marriage experiment. Extra kudos for Dowdle as the oversexed Mindy, who has the hots for Ron. Her wild-eyed flirtations are awesome, and she knows how to rock her wardrobe. Tobias anchors things with a cool, understated presence as Ron's best bro.
The show stealers are two supporting characters. Zach Cramblit is Dylan, Becca's gay friend, He's a bit stereotypical, but adds some comic relief to the mix. Oh, and he's the guy who nudges Becca toward swinging. And Debra Wilson (from "Mad TV") is Vulnavia, the hostess of the swingers' club. Bald, tatted and ripped, she is a mysterious figure who holds the keys to a bar, where happy hour involves "happy endings."
Veteran director Sam Irvin (who worked with Jones on the awesome "Wrong House") keeps the suspense building throughout this film, and Jason Byers' story has enough twists and turns to keep audiences guessing until the end.
Missed it last night? Have no fear! Cuddle up with your significant other (or a cocktail) tonight, Sunday, Jan. 15 for this wife-swapping mystery movie. "Open Marriage" airs at 8 p.m. (CST) on Lifetime.
"Open Marriage": Directed by Sam Irvin; Starring Nikki Leigh as Becca, Tilky Jones as Ron, Jason Tobias as Max, Kelly Dowdle as Mindy, Debra Wilson as Vulnavia, Zach Cramblit as Dylan
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