Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

A Face To Die For had an interesting premise, that could have developed into a pretty good drama/thriller.  Unfortunately, the director made a goof that rendered the whole thing silly.

Yasmine Bleeth plays a young woman, her face horribly disfigured from a childhood accident.  As a result, she tends to be rather shy, and lives a lonely existence.  When, for the first time, a good-looking man (James Wilder) not only starts to pay attention to her, but actually falls for her, Emily is thrilled.  Until he convinces her to take part in an illegal activity.  He goes free, and she takes the fall for him.

When she later discovers that he was only using her, she decides to get revenge.  But only after some revolutionary plastic surgery gives her a new face, and a new chance at life.

Like I said, the premise was fine.  This definitely could have been an intriguing movie about a woman taking her revenge against a man who hurt her deeply.  There could have been thrills and excitement as we watch her slowly work her way into his life, while he's none-the-wiser as to who she really is.

That's what was supposed to happen.  Instead, we have a ridiculous movie that makes no real sense.  Why?  Because, despite the plastic surgery, Emily is still Yasmine Bleeth.  She was Bleeth before, and she's Bleeth after.  Sure, the scars are gone. And, yes, she styles her hair a bit differently.  But the premise that people from her old life weren't supposed to recognize her was just ridiculous.  It was laughable to see all these people who knew her before have no idea it's her, when she looks exactly the same (minus the scars).  The director should have either used a different actress for the "before" scenes and let the beautiful Bleeth do the "after" scenes, only.  Or, they could have used various prostheses to radically change her look.  But to do nothing but remove her scars and brush her hair a different way was an insult to the viewing audience.

Since the entire plot of the story hinges upon people not recognizing her, the whole story fell apart. 

But even if I overlook this huge gaping flaw, and pretend it never happened, I still feel the story was mess.  Way too many dumb decisions being made by too many characters.  For instance, there was a scene with Emily's sister, where Emily could have done 100 things differently than what she did.  Instead, she made a decision that ultimately put people in danger. 

And then it ended.  And while I was happy for the movie to end so I could get on with my life, the ending, itself, was absolutely awful. 

Was there anything decent at all about this movie?  Well, yes. I enjoyed seeing a very young Ricky Paull Goldin (from various soap operas, currently All My Children).  He has a small role as a friend of Emily's. 

The movie is based on the book by the same name by Marvin Werlin and Mark Werlin, I can only assume the book is better.   As for the movie - it's terrible and should not be seen.  Not by anyone. 

Recommended: No