The Perfect Daughter

Carpenter and single dad Brady Smith (as Martin Parish) is happy when daughter Sadie Calvano (as Natalie Parish) wins an election for student council treasurer. This could help the cute and increasingly popular Ms. Calvano win a college scholarship. Being a straight "A" student will help, too. Calvano also wins the attention of her high school's star ice hockey jock Reiley McClendon (as Samuel "Sam" Cahill). Very quickly, father and daughter have to face issues like teenage drinking and sex. "The Perfect Daughter" may not be so perfect, after all...

This drama focuses more on how father Smith deals with his daughter's problems. There is some background involving the missing mother, who wasn't perfect, either. She had a boyfriend and was willing to leave her family and shack up at a "Pink Motel" somewhere. The missing mother's perfectly trimmed, model-like brother Johann Urb (as Nicky Barnes) works for Smith. The younger man is introduced after having a sexual liaison with a married blonde. So, there is a hint the Barnes "side of the family" is slutty. In contrast, father Smith appears chaste...

Also in the cast is former 1970s TV "Hardy Boy" Parker Stevenson. He is both Smith's boss and the hockey player's father. Director Brian Herzlinger and writer Brian McAuley do their best in scenes with Smith and Calvano, showing both their increasing distance and strong bond. The father-daughter relationship seems real. Scenes in the school setting are more routine. At one point, an accusation of rape is made; to accuse falsely, if that is the case, should be treated more seriously. And, the ending refuses to explicitly state a decision made by Calvano...

Finally, it must be declared that the "neatly trimmed beard" look is now in vogue for TV movie men. You see it on leading man Brady Smith along with supporting actors Parker Stevenson and Johann Urb. You also see the "neatly trimmed beard" on men in commercials. Understandably, this does not apply to high schoolers; shaving is necessary to play the younger age. This is great news because the "perfectly plucked eyebrows" look is (and was) very distracting. They may still pluck the eyebrows, but the "neatly trimmed beard" helps off-set the eye brows.

***** The Perfect Daughter (3/26/2016) Brian Herzlinger ~ Brady Smith, Sadie Calvano, Reiley McClendon, Parker Stevenson

Incidentally this was directed by Brian Herzlinger, who starred in "My Date With Drew". He's come a long way- I actually was invested in the crisp scenery and acting. The characters were believable, not cookie cutter, and not over the top.

In terms of the storyline, I felt it was self-sabotaged. I thought we would gradually see how the night transpired. The movie eventually changed course and lost traction.

Let's be real - an intoxicated person cannot consent to sex. I'm not saying the athlete had bad intentions, but the law is crystal clear. And regardless of whether the athlete's parents are aware, drinking is taking place under their watch.

Brady Smith walks off with this film. He is terrific as a father who discovers his teen-aged daughter is pregnant. What he goes through is such fine acting. The rest of the cast is commendable including Parker Stephenson playing a bad character in this for a change. Smith shows such natural emotions as he goes through the paces of a difficult role. I couldn't keep my eyes off of him in every scene. We follow his attempts in being a single dad to his discovering his daughter is pregnant to trying to figure out how to handle the situation to the acceptance of her condition and wishes. A magnificent performance and I don't use that wording much in LMN movies,

This movie in my opinion has a hidden agenda. Look for it. It is to view abortion as if is just fine and totally acceptable. It however does not show you what happened to our young couple after the abortion, so not a whole picture.I am sorry I wasted my time watching this movie, do not waste your time. Also will probably not waste time watching Hallmark movies.

One of my pastimes is watching terrible Lifetime movies on Tubi, riffing throughout as they rarely ever disappoint in the cheese factor. Then here comes The Perfect Daughter, a film just from the title I figured would be an angst and cringe filled yarn. Incredibly, this is a very fine movie. Honestly!

Realistic portrayal of teens, no stupid twists, no cookie cutter good/bad guys (ok, the mean High School girls were 100% cliché) just well acted, well written and competently directed family yarn. Brady Smith is excellent in this and Parker Stevenson is on fire here. I still cant believe I watched this entire thing and I wasn't laughing or slapping my head as usual. If you actually enjoy most Lifetime Movies then this will seem like Citizen Kane to you. J says, check it out. I'm totally serious, honest. My brain still cant process that I didn't hate this lol.