Gabriel Hogan and Ricki Lake in "Matters of Life and Dating"
courtesy of Lifetime
"Matters of Life and Dating" (Lifetime)

Ricki Lake stars in the new Lifetime original movie "Matters of Life and Dating." This film about a breast cancer survivor is based on the actual story of Linda Dackman. It is a true Lifetime type of movie in that it is entertaining and inspirational at the same time. That is the Lifetime hallmark and this movie fits it to a "t."

Linda Dackman (Lake) was a woman who wanted to life her life free and clear of entanglements, Because of that desire she broke up with her loyal and steady boyfriend Kevin (Gabriel Hogan) and was ready to play the field. Then she learned she had breast cancer. She went from the girl with the open future to the sick girl without a future, or at least that was how she saw herself.

She was overwhelmed by her condition and took her hostility out on her mother and her best friend Carla (Rachel Harris). The movie shows how she regained some perspective in her life and in her relationships.

Lake is good in the role of Linda, maybe a little too mannered at times but still believable in the role. Harris plays down her prickly personality in order to bring a steadiness to the role of Carla. Dylan Neal is quiet assurance as Guy the possible new man in Linda's life. And Holly Robinson Peete makes an impression as a fellow cancer survivor.

This is the type of movie where everything turns out for the best. It fights bringing in even one negative aspect of having this disease, and maybe that is good. Maybe a person with cancer needs all the positive information they can receive. Still it makes for an unrealistic movie. And if the bad is ignored then how true is the good.

So if you watch "Matters of Life and Dating" remember you are looking at a pretty picture perfect story. The bad for the most part has been filtered out.

"Matters of Life and Dating" is currently airing on the Lifetime Channel. Check your local listings for time and date.
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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