HIS SECRET PAST (TV Movie 2016)

BASIC PLOT: Lily Becker (Gatlin Kate James) just got very lucky. While out jogging, she was attacked by a mask wearing assailant. A mysterious stranger intervenes, and she gets away. Her hero doesn't go to the police, but by chance (?), Lily runs into him the next day. His name is Mick Grant (Austin James), and he lives on a boat. He's only in town for a short while, but that's long enough for Lily to fall for him. He's quiet and enigmatic, and nothing like Lily's last boyfriend, Scott Ellison (Alexander P. Heartman). Lily can be a bit naive, especially when it comes to men, so it's up to her mother, and best friend Kelly, to look out for her.

Lily's mother, Jennifer Becker (Brigid Brannagh) is a true crime author. She's suspicious by nature, and there's something about Mick she just doesn't trust. Kelly (Lindsay Bushman), Lily's best friend, also feels something is off about Mick. Even Scott, Lily's ex, hires a PI to find out about this secretive loner, who's ingratiated himself into Lily's life. Can the people who care for Lily convince her something is wrong with Mick, before it's too late?

WHAT WORKS: *Gatlin Kate James portrayal of Lily Becker, the sweet, naive, girl next door, is right on the money. She's almost sweet enough to rot your teeth.

*Alexander P. Heartman plays Scott Ellison, the spoiled, entitled jackass, and he does it with style. His haircut, his name dropping, even his preppy country club sweater all work here; he has the solipsistic smug smirk down to an art form.

*In this movie, the women take care of their problems themselves. In so many movies, even movies made for women, there has to be a male hero who saves the day. Not here, and I applaud the three male writers for that choice. It makes the ending so much more gratifying.

WHAT DOESN'T WORK: *How many times can you say, "I'm just looking out for you," in one movie? Answer: Too damn many

*Why is Kelly (