Don't Believe the Hype

brilliant actors, brilliant editing

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

I've watched this episode and the pilot episode. They are both entertaining and I liked them. But the writers need to come up with something fresh. Both the disappearing act in the pilot episode and this episode, as well as the hidden garage door trick, were both themes in episode of "Banack" (1972). Heck, even stealing the Declaration of Independence was used in "JAG". Other than that I enjoyed both episodes and will soon be looking at a couple more.

Despite being covered full-time by CCTV and having a security guard within a few meters of the display case, the Declaration of Independence vanishes from the first stops on its tour of America. Despite having one of his best agents with him (Helen Morriston), CSA boss Frank Darnell calls in retired CSA puzzle-solver Cathy Davis (codenamed Jane Doe) to have a look. Very quickly Cathy spots why the document was able to just "vanish" – it was never in the case in the first place. Instead what was in it was a slim-line, high-definition display monitor that, inside the case, looked just like the real thing. Working out how and where the document was stolen is only the starting point whenever the thieves deliver their ransom demands.Having quite enjoyed the second Jane Doe film I saw I decided to give another a go. This film continued the aspect of the last one that I liked, which was the puzzle-solving concept. It worked in the last film (I didn't watch them in order) because the original puzzle was enticing and it remained in place for the majority of the film. With this film the original mystery is "solved" quickly and then the plot moves into a more pedestrian mystery tale that is average for the genre but doesn't use the puzzle concept that well. As the first one is done easily, we get fed more puzzles and, although it is still engaging, it does get a bit tiring to constantly have Cathy constantly saying "it must be some sort of puzzle we have to solve" etc. Although parts of it are quite nice, other bits are pretty obvious (if you can't see who the bad guy is then you must be quite naïve) meanwhile the family section takes up more time than it did in other films – which is not really a good thing although I recognise that they need it to be consistent across the series.As with the other films, it all looks slick and polish and certainly not cheap like some TVM's can do. Thompson turns in a solid enough character to carry the genre but, without her "puzzle" hook there really isn't much else to her. Her wardrobe ranges from being very housewife to being really quite cool – not sure if this was deliberate or just an inconsistency. She is well supported yet again by the solid presence of Penny, but it would be nice if the series gave him more to do as I tired of him being unavailable when needed, only to burst in at the last moment. Moses doesn't have much to work with and, as usual, is only involved in the lesser, family scenes. Tomita looked sexy and offered an interesting tension with Thompson but her character is too obvious and she can't bring anything else out of it.Overall then this was an enjoyable enough TV mystery movie. It doesn't really build on the original idea that well and lacks the hook of some of the other films. The cast do the job without bringing much to the table but the whole film moves slickly enough and it is easy watching – which is what I, like many viewers of this sort of thing, was looking for.

I enjoy the Hallmark Mystery Movie series, and "Jane Doe" is my favorite, due to the vivacious Lea Thompson, who brings a bright spirit to this "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" type formula of "mom is a government agent." Thompson has quit the CSA but, like Al Pacino in "The Godfather II," just when she thought she was out, they dragged her back in. This time, by some high quality technical techniques, the Declaration of Independence, is stolen while on display at a bank. Lea's old partner, played by Joe Penny, needs her help. She is thwarted by his current partner, a nervous woman who feels that her territory is being threatened. Let's face it - the Thompson character doesn't want the job - a false note in this for me was the fact that she continued on the case with such a difficult woman.Thompson wears three hats, that of a loving mother, an employee for a game company, and the occasional agent work. Her husband, Billy Moses, is in the dark about her return to the agency. So there are a few more layers in this series than in the other two.This particular series has more spark than the other two but probably less substance. The villain here was obvious in the first few minutes, and the way the crime was carried out had a very "Mission: Impossible" -- emphasis on the impossible, feel to it. Nevertheless, Thompson is darling and, with a strong leading man in Penny, "Jane Doe" offers a nice break from reality shows.

Honestly, never thought much of L.Thompson. However, it is perfectly possible that as an 80's actress, the roles offered to Leah were simply uninspired, and formula driven. Well good for Leah as Jane Doe. Either she has grown up, or a role with complexity has finally been offered to her. Whatever the case, she was charming, and her character echoed a strong, competent and complete personality. Generally television premieres are either completely inspired, or sadly dismal downers. Jane Doe's premiere, although somewhat formulaic, definitely has a spark.L.Thompson seems wonderfully comfortable in her character, and the script was bold enough to hold my interest. I will watch for the next Jane Doe.Cheers