Overview: Sara (Scottie Thomson) and Lily (Madeline Zima) are two sisters from a small, lakeside town that lead two different lives: Sara, a successful, Los Angeles attorney and Lily, a local art teacher who never left home. But when the father of the two sisters unexpectedly dies, Sara returns to Virginia to help settle his estate. Through the guidance of their father's spirit, the two women and their mother, Vivian (Jane Seymour), will finally discover what being a family truly means.

DVD Verdict: I have to say, right off the bat, that the cinematography in 'Lake Effects' is breathtaking. Simply so beautiful. It was truly so well scouted to be the backdrop in this wonderful little movie.

More of a TV movie (Hallmark Channel) than a big film, 'Lake Effects' is a pleasantly acted, well spoken run for its money; enhanced by breathtaking scenery and performances from some likable actors. Sure it's predictable and features a script that has too many story lines trying to outdo each other for top spot, but most get satisfactorily resolved - one way or another.

The basic story is that a successful a 36-hours-in-a-24-hour-day Los Angeles attorney (Scottie Thompson) who reluctantly flies back to her rural Virginia childhood home after her father is killed in an accident. Her father (the always-to-my-mind creepy Jeff Fahey) and daughter had had a falling out several years earlier, and had not spoken since.

Once at the lake, she must now deal with her sister (Madeline Zima), an art teacher who never left home, and her resentful mother (Jane Seymour), as well as a forgotten boy friend, and (of course, why not) a mysterious real estate developer who is threatening to foreclose on much or the community.

Oh, and there's a legendary sea serpent that lives in the lake!

So, as you can guess, Sara stays for longer and is inevitably changed by the polarizing family experience. Especially when she finally sees the papers that have her mother worried re: the Rapture Real Estate takeover proposal, which is calling in its loans all over the lake. This is a Widescreen Presentation 1.85:1 enhanced for 16x9 TVs.