Darren Lucas Movies
- 2003
When Undercover Christmas first aired over CBS on December 7, 2003, a number of critics lauded the film for its "fresh" and "unique" storyline--blissfully unaware that the film bore a marked resemblance to the 1940 Fred MacMurray-Barbara Stanwyck vehicle Remember the Night. Jamie Gertz tops the cast as Brandi O'Neill, a sassy cocktail waitress who is the "great and good friend" of billionaire Scott Shift (Cameron Bancroft). Determned to nail Shift on a tax fraud charge, FBI agent Jake Cunningham (Shawn Christian) figures that Brandi will make an excellent federal witness, and takes her into protective custody. Unfortunately, not long afterward Jake receives word from his mother Anne (Tyne Daly) that his father Joe (Winston Rekert), a very wealthy and very conservative jurist, has suffered a heart attack--and that it would behoove Jack to come home for Christmas to see his dad just one more time. Naturally, Jake is forced to take Brandi along to meet his folks, who are shocked beyond measure when, to avoid compromising his case against Shift, Jake passes Brandi off as his new girlfriend! Things get dicier still when it turns out that Joe Cunningham's heart attack was just a sham to force Jake to come home and get his annual dressing-down for not living up to his parents' hopes--and all the while, Brandi begins to really enjoy her new luxurious surroundings, and seriously considers latching onto Jake for keeps. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
In all fairness, it isn't surprising that the authorities have trouble believing the outlandish tale of woe related by harried heroine Lauren Carlton (Lisa Hartman Black). After all, Lauren was found in a wrecked stolen car; the body of a murdered officer lies nearby; and Lauren's daughter has mysteriously vanished. Accused of theft and double murder, Lauren can only claim that she doesn't remember a thing--not even the fact that her daughter was in the car. "Amnesia's pretty much gone out of style", clucks one of the disbelievers as Lauren is hauled off to the psych ward--while the actual perpetrators of the carjacking, abduction, and murder, a modern-day "Bonnie and Clyde" couple, are still at large! Produced for the ABC TV network, Out of Nowhere debuted March 23, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
The second of two CBS TV movies based on the novels of Lavyrle Spencer, Family Blessings begins as young police officer Greg Reston (Darren Lucas) dies in an auto accident. Having already lost a husband, Greg's mother Lee (Lynda Carter) is all but consumed by grief. In his efforts to comfort, Lee, Greg's fellow officer Chris Lallek (Steven Eckholdt) falls in love with her, despite the 15-year difference in their ages. The question now is whether or not Lee will reciprocate Chris' love, a task complicated by the disapproval of her friends and family members--especially her daughter Janice (Ari Meyers), who once carried a torch for Chris herself. Codirected by actresses Deborah Raffin and Nina Foch (who also plays Lee's mother Peg), Lavyrle Spencer's Family Blessings originally aired September 6, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lynda Carter, Steven Eckholdt, (more)
