The Arrangement

This disappointing melodrama from Harding (Her Pretty Face) finds college art student Natalie “Nat” Murphy, who’s moved from her small hometown of Blaine, Wash., where she had a miserable childhood, to New York City, at her lowest. She’s friendless, close to losing her scholarship, and in danger of being evicted because her roommates are sick of her excess drinking, bringing home random men, and being behind on her rent and other bills. A classmate suggests an option—a website connecting young women (“sugar babies”) with wealthy men (“daddies”), who pay for companionship, but not necessarily sex. Reluctantly, Nat enters “the sugar bowl.” Nat believes she has hit the jackpot with Gabe Turnmill, whose generosity includes giving Nat a new apartment. Nat quickly falls in love with Gabe, and their breakup puts her in a downward spiral of obsession that leads to violence. Nat’s naïveté, however, borders on stupidity, and, given her slovenly habits, the sugar baby angle is a bit of a stretch. The arrogant Gabe, his wallet aside, is no catch. Lifetime movies have more tension and twists than this clichéd novel with its cardboard characters. [em]Agent: Joseph Veltre, Gersh Agency. (Aug.) [/em]