John Stamos and Sonya Salomaa in "Secrets of Eden"; photo courtesy of Lifetime

“Secrets of Eden” (Lifetime) 

The latest “Lifetime” original movie is based on Chris Bohjalian’s novel of the same name. Perhaps the book created a more realistic picture of the characters than this movie does, at least one would hope so. In the movie the characters are totally unbelievable and the plot is off the wall. To add insult to injury John Stamos never comes close to defining the lead character and makes the whole film appear to be a fantasy rather than reality.

The story takes place in Vermont where Stephen Drew (Stamos) is the pastor of a local church. Alice Hayward (Sonya Salomaa) is a member of his congregation. When the movie starts Alice is being baptized by Stephen. This leads to a confrontation with her husband George (Graham Abbey) who is against Alice’s religion and her close relationship with Pastor Drew.

In short order Alice is killed by George who it is thought then killed himself. But later investigation by the police determines that George did kill Alice, but then someone else killed him. The lead detective, Catherine Benicasa (Anna Gunn), focuses on Pastor Drew as the potential murderer.

There is some interest created in the question of who did it and why, but the rest of the plot just meanders its way through an extramarital affair between Alice and Drew, and Drew’s involvement with other characters. Nothing on the screen is very believable and that is the movie’s second biggest flaw.

The first biggest flaw is Stamos. He doesn’t look like a minister or act like a minister. He is just some guy who looks like John Stamos and is on the prowl for women. You get no spiritual aura emanating from him, or even compassion in any way for the people in his church.

Stamos has been better in other roles so this has to be a case of serious miscasting. He has talent, especially in the area of romantic comedy, but this dramatic role seems out of his league. He creates a character that is shallow and self-centered and that doesn’t appear to be how Drew is supposed to act.

The big find of the movie, and the only reason to watch, is Sonya Salomaa. She makes Alice a beautiful and vibrant woman who is mistreated by all the men in her life. You never fully understand who Alice is but you get glimpses thanks to Salomaa’s talent. She is so outstanding in this role that you hope it will lead to bigger and better things for her.

If you are interested in “Secrets of Eden” my recommendation is you skip the movie and read Bohjalian’s novel. Then after you read it you can come back and watch the movie with a keen eye on what it was meant to convey.

“Secrets of Eden” airs on Lifetime, February 4 at 8PM.