Related Posts
Of the many fine actors to make a name for themselves on the small screen (those with reputations that are anything but small), there are few quite like Morgan Fairchild. Beginning her career on the CBS soap opera “Search for Tomorrow”, Fairchild would quickly earn appearances on several different television programs, from dramas like “Dallas” to sitcoms like “Roseanne”. This is not to say that Fairchild has limited her career to television though, as she has been given several opportunities to shine on the big screen. Among her most noteworthy cinematic highlights are Tim Burton’s “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure”, the police parody “Naked Gun 33 ⅓: The Final Insult”, and the subject of today’s discussion, “Shattered Illusions”.
When Lynn Richards receives a job as a talk show host at KBST radio station in Los Angeles, she is given the opportunity to ask her audience questions about the different themes and illusions in life. At the station, Lynn finds herself under a tremendous amount of pressure from the station owner and her manager to maintain high ratings of her show and faces jealousy from a fellow station DJ, psychologist Angie Mason. In addition to her work pressures, Lynn is haunted by her father’s alcohol abuse that contributed to a horrific accident that disabled her sister, Carrie. When Lynn learns that her father has been paroled from prison after 12 years for Carrie’s accident, she receives a mysterious phone call from a man named “Adam”, who claims to be Lynn’s biggest fan. Adam tells Lynn live on her radio show that “death is what we need”, and a handful of people close to Lynn are murdered before she can find out who is behind her current torment.
Though Fairchild’s presence in the film is worthy of acknowledgement, she’s not the only source of talent to be found here. In the starring role of Lynn Richards is actress Colette O’Connell, who has made a variety of film and television appearances, including the films “Thirteen Days” and “Gabriela” and the television shows “The West Wing”, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”. Also appearing in the film are Leland Crooke, best known for collaborating with director David Beaird in such films as “My Chauffeur” and “Scorchers”, Dan Monahan, best known for his role as Edward “Pee Wee” Morris in the 1980s “Porky’s” trilogy of teen films, and Bruce Weitz, who had previously won an Emmy for his work in the NBC police drama “Hill Street Blues”.
The cast of “Shattered Illusions” may be more familiar with the small screen, but the film itself deserves all the admiration that a big screen release has to offer. An intense and captivating thriller from beginning to end, this is a must watch for anyone seeking an experience that will put them on the edge of their seat. Those interested can find the film available for purchase here.
