Saturday, May 22, 2010

We Have Turbulence

Frequent Flyer
[TV movie]
(Mar 10, 1996)

DramaDirected by Alan Metzger
Written by D. Victor Hawkins, Tom Nelson

Cast:
Jack Wagner...........Nick Rawlings
Shelley Hack..........JoBeth Rawlings
Nicole Eggert..........Miriam Rawlings
Joan Severance......Alison Rawlings
Kalen Mills..............Eric
Elizabeth Ruscio.....Pat

Plot:
Nick Rawlings, an airline pilot, is married to JoBeth, an antiques store owner, to Allison, a business executive, and is a marrying a young blonde named Miriam. As Nick and JoBeth’s anniversary nears, JoBeth discovers a receipt for a $9000 purchase that Nick made. Excited, she looks forward to her anniversary gift but becomes suspicious when it turns out to be a picture frame. Upon investigating, she finds out that the purchase was for an engagement ring (for Miriam). As Nick’s polygamous habit becomes clear to JoBeth, she exacts a revenge on her husband that makes sure she comes out at a financial advantage. As the women discover each other, Nick is left with nothing in the end.

Comments:
Frequent Flyer was released in 1996 and Shelley Hack, at 49, looked damn good. Plus, acting-wise she had come a very long way from her Angels days.

Shelley paints JoBeth as a loving sweet tender wife and mother who is quick enough to use her head when she find out that her husband is cheating on her. After crying it out, she gets everything together to save whatever she can for her and her son. Shelley’s restrained performance was very moving. It’s also not a surprise that Shelley would consider playing JoBeth since the character was an astute, level-headed and practical woman who would do anything to insure the future of both her and her son whom she dearly loves.

It was interesting to see the scenes between Shelley and Joan Severance, two women who were supermodels at their time. Representing two consecutive eras of style, beauty and fashion, the women show us their effortless class and poise.

The film has been released on DVD but I’m very disappointed at the cover that was used. Although Shelley’s name is printed on the top portion, her image doesn’t appear. A side view picture of her is on the back. Shelley’s JoBeth is a primary character in the film so she must appear on the cover. I made my own version (the one on the right.)