Michelle Ross is a widow and a mother of two. She’s thrilled when her shy teenage daughter, Lexi, decides to start going out with the high school football star, Greg, hoping that it would help her social life as well as get Lexi out of her shell. However, what Michelle doesn’t know is that Greg has an ulterior motive for asking Lexi out and quickly seduces the young girl, whilst filming everything, in order to win a bet. Greg’s bitter ex-girlfriend finds out about this and spreads the video around, without Lexi or Greg’s knowledge and on their second date, at a house party, the truth is revealed… Lexi dies, Greg is being framed as the culprit behind all of this, even though he knows that Carleigh is responsible and soon everything spirals out of control. Nevertheless, soon Greg is found shot to death and although people are pointing fingers at Lexi’s juvenile delinquent brother, the truth is far worse than anyone could have ever imagined.
Betrayed at 17 is a fun little film, which was surprisingly good, considering that it is a “made for TV” film. We have a thrilling plot with enough twists to keep the viewer guessing when the murderer will be caught, we have drama and mystery as well as a message behind it all. Bullying is a big problem in society these days and this is one of those films that makes you realise just how vicious high school kids can be. The acting was also much better than one would expect these films to be like, sporting actors like Alexandra Paul (Christine, Baywatch), Jake Thomas (Lizzy McGuire – yeah, I can’t believe it either!), Katie Gill (Money Train, Drillbit Taylor) and Andy Fischer-Price (Killer Movie). Directed by Doug Campbell (Trapped: Buried Alive), who may be familiar to those who enjoy their “made for TV” flicks.
The film, Betrayed at 17, isn’t particularly unique nor is it one of those films that will be announced at the Oscars, the acting is good though and the directing is sufficient. I liked the plot as well and although the budget probably didn’t consist of much, it’s definitely one of those films that you’ll re-watch when the mood strikes. What’s more is that there are some interesting twists in the plot, like I mentioned. It’s easy to spot them though, but again, Betrayed at 17 is not a classified as being “cinematic genius” whatsoever and it doesn’t even come across as that. The fact of the matter is, it’s just one of those enjoyable films that you’ll be able to re-watch from time to time and it’s good quality considering all the elements that works against it (small budget, predictable at times etc.) Other than that though, there are some hottie hot hotties in it, Katie Gill looks all sweet and innocent, but she dominates the screen easily and then for the ladies, Jake Thomas… Lizzy McGuire’s dorky kid brother? Yeah, he’s in it too and boy oh boy did puberty do him good!
So, yes, there are some good things, even though it is a “Made for TV” film. Click on the image to get your hands on a copy or click here to go to Amazon.com directly.
