"Careful What You Wish For" is a fairly well-crafted thriller in the tradition of such neo-noir classics as "Body Heat." Unfortunately, the film was slow-moving, and there was not much chemistry between the two lead performers.

Both Nick Jonas and Isabel Lucas were good in their roles of Doug and Lena. But the adulterous relationship that was at the heart of the film was never very credible, let alone sizzling. The Kathleen Turner-William Hurt relationship in "Body Heat" is a good barometer for the best in this style of filmmaking.

The best part of this film was the ending sequence that focused on a complicated scam pulled off by the femme fatale character Lena. Paul Sorvino is good as the local cop who recognizes the innocence of Doug.

But major loose ends abounded in the film, including the climactic scene in the Pines Motel. How did Doug know to go to that site for the incriminating evidence against Lena? How could Lena and her friend possibly escape from the authorities? And also, did Doug ever get to Columbia University, where had been accepted as a student? The viewer needed a better wrap-up in this average action pic.

This is a sexy story with adultery, quite a bit of skin and murder...and it stars Nick Jonas! Yes, THAT Nick Jonas...of the squeaky clean Disney-fied Jonas Brothers! Talk about a major about face with his career! Only a few years ago, he and his brothers were singing to sold out stadiums of pre-teen and teen girls...now Nick is playing in a hard edged rated R film! My how times have changed, but the real question that needs answering is it any good? Well, it's not at all bad but the film isn't without a few problems here and there. The biggest one was casting. No, Jonas was actually pretty good. While he's in his early 20s, he looks younger, so playing a character who is supposed to be 16-17 years- old worked. The problem instead was his co-star, Isabel Lucas. While her acting was quite good, the role should have been played by someone who seemed much older--perhaps a cougar in her 30s. However, Lucas looks to be about Jonas' age and this makes the story a bit more difficult to believe.

It all begins at a lake in North Carolina. Having lived very, very close to where they actually filmed the movie, it appears to be around Lake Norman--a large lake north of Charlotte, North Carolina that is known for it's expensive lakefront homes. The Martin's are a nice and seemingly normal family and their son, Doug (Jonas) is anticipating going off to an excellent college soon. But in the meantime, it's summer and he and his super-annoying friend (too annoying) are mostly concerned with scoring with the local girls. However, Doug is in for a huge surprise. His new rich neighbor has a very young and very desirable wife, Lena (Lucas). Why she would soon seduced Doug is a puzzler--and Doug is just young and stupid enough not to ask this as well. Soon, he and Lena are having an affair. Not too long after this he's pulled into a conspiracy...one that might just get them sent to prison! What is the conspiracy? Well, think The Postman Always Rings Twice and you'll have some idea what's next. Fortunately, the film does have a few nice twists and turns, though none of it seemed all that surprising to me, as a gorgeous and rich woman like this MUST have some other hidden agenda...and my guess is that this is going to run through your mind as well as you watch. However, despite the plot being occasionally a bit easy to predict at times and the ending a bit too perfect, the acting and direction are very good and the film held my interest throughout.

So is it worth seeing? Yes, though it isn't a film I'd rush to see- -though some of his old fans (provided they are now old enough to see a rated R movie) might enjoy seeing this harder edged Nick Jonas. Just be forewarned that you won't see THAT much of Nick in the film...if you catch my drift.

This Jonas brother's future looks pretty good after seeing this movie. Is he handsome leading man material? Perhaps, perhaps not...but he can act and was able to more than hold his own in the lead. His biggest problem for the future is his strength in this particular film--he just looks very, very young and I had some trouble seeing him in more adult roles. Time will tell.

Writer Chris Frisina needs a breath of fresh air. This tired old story has few saving graces and Elizabeth Allen's direction make the story plod even more slowly. Nick Jonas needs to discuss his movie choices more closely with his agent: films this sad won't make a dent in his career if he intends to be taken seriously as an actor.

Briefly (the is so little story line hat a few words will suffice),Doug Martin (Nick Jonas – best when he take his shirt off) is living at the lake, bored, virginal, girl shy when an out of town couple decides to rent the house next door. The wife Lena is an anorexic appearing seductress (Isabel Lucas) married to an older wealthy investment banker Elliot (Dermot Mulroney) who abuses Lena under Doug's watchful eye. Lena seduces Doug, Doug is controlled by his hormones on this first sexual adventure and under cover the two carry on a sordid affair. Elliot is away most of the time but on one visit home he ends up dead and the manner in which the incident happened and is covered and investigated by sheriff Jack (Lee Sorvino) and insurance investigator Angie (Kandyse McClure) results in a very predictable worn out ending.

This is one of those films that did poorly at the box office – understandably – and is something to wait to watch until it is free on late night television re-runs to act as a somnolent.