Kimberly Williams-Paisley in "Identity Theft"
courtesy of Lifetime
"Identity Theft: The Michelle Brown Story" (Lifetime)

Lifetime takes a lot of grief for presenting movies that are a little on the maudlin or sentimental side, but the cable channel performs a public service with "Identity Theft: The Michelle Brown Story." This movie shows how easily identity theft can occur, and what an impact it can make on the person whose life is stolen. Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Annabella Sciorra star as the victim and the thief, and both are excellent in their roles.

Michelle Brown (Williams-Paisley) is a schoolteacher living in Denver. For as long as she can remember she has wanted to have a house of her own. One day she and her fiancé' (Jason London) find the perfect home. Even though it is a "fixer upper" it is the answer to Michelle's prayers.

When Michelle applies for a loan she meets Connie (Sciorra) who is the secretary at the loan office. Michelle gives her all her paperwork and it contains all of her personal information. Connie takes this information and promptly begins charging on Michelle's credit card. Later she has a driver's license made with her picture on it and Michelle's name. This movie shows just how easily this can all be done.

The "theft" of Michelle's identity escalates even though Michelle is doing all the right things to protect herself. Eventually she is placed in real jeopardy when Connie commits a crime while using Michelle's name.

The film is a "horror" story of sorts with Michelle's life being virtually ruined by a stranger. The amazing thing is Connie is not a super-genius who manages to do all this. In fact she comes across as only ordinary.

Williams-Paisley is the perfect actress to play a victim as she looks so innocent and so "nice." Sciorra is tough and tasteless as Connie, but later evolves into a faint imitation of Michelle as she gets deeper and deeper into her fake role.

There are some key lessons to be learned from this movie, and more than a little information to be gained. The movie is informative, but also entertaining. Make sure you plan to watch it when it airs on Lifetime, November 1 at 9PM.

 

 

 

 

 

©2004 Jackie K. Cooper

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