Dominic Chianese and Kaley Cuoco in "Crimes of Fashion"
courtesy of the ABC Family Channel
"Crimes of Fashion" (ABC Family Channel)

The ABC Family Channel's latest original movie, "Crimes of Fashion" spotlights the talents of "8 Simple Rules" star Kaley Cuoco. She and Dominic Chianese ("The Sopranos") bring to comedic life this tale of a college student who finds out she has inherited a "mob" family. There are a lot of laughs, a little romance, and even some fashion statements in this mildly entertaining movie.

Brooke Taylor (Cuoco) is a girl who has made her life a success through sheer determination. An orphan, she went through a series of foster homes and finally found her "family" when she enrolled in a fashion school. There she also found her life's passion.

Suddenly her life is turned upside down when she is contacted by a man named George (Chianese). He tells her that her grandfather has died and that she has inherited his "mob" family. He also quickly tells her that the "family" plans on operating only legitimate businesses in the future.

To add to her troubles Brooke finds herself falling for a guy named Jack (Pat Kelly) who is a transfer student to her school. He seems hesitant to start dating her. This is because, unknown to her, he is an FBI Agent who is investigating her.

All of these complications are handled in a breezy manner and no one gets too upset over anything. Brooke stays true to her fashion sense and true love wins out over all obstacles. Did you expect anything different!

Cuoco is cute and charming and makes her role fun to watch. Chianese is warm and grandfatherly in his role. His scenes with Cuoco are the best in the movie.

The movie is light, fluffy entertainment. There is little depth in the plot and little character development in the story, but it is a diverting way to spend an evening.

Where else could you see Kaley Cuoco in a leading role in a TV movie? Only on the ABC Family Channel. So it does serve a purpose.

"Crimes of Fashion" premieres Sunday, July 25 at 8PM on the ABC Family Channel.

 

 

 

 

 

©2004 Jackie K. Cooper

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