Jane Doe: Now You See It, Now You Don't (2005)

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

I've watched this episode and the pilot episode. They are both entertaining and I liked them. But the writers need to come up with something fresh. Both the disappearing act in the pilot episode and this episode, as well as the hidden garage door trick, were both themes in episode of "Banack" (1972). Heck, even stealing the Declaration of Independence was used in "JAG". Other than that I enjoyed both episodes and will soon be looking at a couple more.

The worst kind of film. Basically, the US Declaration of Independence was replaced with a plasma screen and this fooled the museum's security for several days. Eh?The plasma screen that would theoretically run for less than 2 seconds off that watch battery, assuming it had a low enough internal resistance to deliver the required current, which it wouldn't.It would be possible with a dozen large car batteries and an inverter, but that system wouldn't fit into the case. Sorry to be anal, but this isn't even close to being plausible. The rest of the film wasn't a great deal better and I'm left wondering why the budget couldn't have been donated to charity or me.

I enjoy the Hallmark Mystery Movie series, and "Jane Doe" is my favorite, due to the vivacious Lea Thompson, who brings a bright spirit to this "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" type formula of "mom is a government agent." Thompson has quit the CSA but, like Al Pacino in "The Godfather II," just when she thought she was out, they dragged her back in. This time, by some high quality technical techniques, the Declaration of Independence, is stolen while on display at a bank. Lea's old partner, played by Joe Penny, needs her help. She is thwarted by his current partner, a nervous woman who feels that her territory is being threatened. Let's face it - the Thompson character doesn't want the job - a false note in this for me was the fact that she continued on the case with such a difficult woman.Thompson wears three hats, that of a loving mother, an employee for a game company, and the occasional agent work. Her husband, Billy Moses, is in the dark about her return to the agency. So there are a few more layers in this series than in the other two.This particular series has more spark than the other two but probably less substance. The villain here was obvious in the first few minutes, and the way the crime was carried out had a very "Mission: Impossible" -- emphasis on the impossible, feel to it. Nevertheless, Thompson is darling and, with a strong leading man in Penny, "Jane Doe" offers a nice break from reality shows.

Honestly, never thought much of L.Thompson. However, it is perfectly possible that as an 80's actress, the roles offered to Leah were simply uninspired, and formula driven. Well good for Leah as Jane Doe. Either she has grown up, or a role with complexity has finally been offered to her. Whatever the case, she was charming, and her character echoed a strong, competent and complete personality. Generally television premieres are either completely inspired, or sadly dismal downers. Jane Doe's premiere, although somewhat formulaic, definitely has a spark.L.Thompson seems wonderfully comfortable in her character, and the script was bold enough to hold my interest. I will watch for the next Jane Doe.Cheers