A Difficult Woman (Mystery/Australian Telefilm)
Picture: C
Sound: C+ Extras: C- Telefilm: B-
What may or may not have been intended as a hoped-for
series, former TV Spiderman Nicholas Hammond co-wrote the teleplay for A
Difficult Woman (1998) has certainly proved he has a grasp of the personal
Mystery story where a smart female professional (Caroline Goodall as Dr. Anne
Harriman) has a personal interest in solving a murder. It could be family or friend, with this case
being a female friend.
This was made in Australia and Goodall is compelling in a
story that gives her all kinds of room to be so. As she goes after the truth, her life becomes more endangered,
but instead of the usual formula, director Tony Tilse makes fine use out of
what we do not know about Australia and uses the story as an excuse to bring
the country alive. As a result, the
telefilm has good pacing and is always interesting, managing to rise above its
formula at times.
The 1.33 X 1 image has more digititis than expected,
interfering with the nicely shot work by cinematographer Russell Bacon. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo is not bad,
showing only some of its age. Extras
include a weblink, text in Miss Goodall, cast & production crew text
credits and production notes.
- Nicholas Sheffo
