The Secret Lives of Second Wives

There is a ring of bitter sweet truth to this movie which profiles the trials and tribulations of anyone who has had to be a surrogate parent and spouse. It's a thankless job. The children aren't your flesh and blood, and everyone knows it. If you draw boundaries and are strict, you are cold-hearted "step parent". If you try too hard to please, you become a door mat that know one respects, and you end up losing your sense of self in the relationship. This is the struggle of Lynn Hughes, played superbly by Andrea Roth. A talented, and arguably under-rated as an actress, Roth strikes the right balance of humanity, fallibility and humour as she tries to be the wife and mother in a ready-made family that has it's worts. Directed with a sure hand by George Mendeluk, the movie is never maudlin, at times touching without being cloying, and has touches of humor which is born out of the reality of painful relationships. Thoroughly enjoyable "chick flick".A must see.