Sleeping with the Enemy (1991)

Director:

Joseph Ruben

Writers (WGA):

Nancy Price (novel)
Ronald Bass (screenplay)

Release Date:

8 February 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Self-defense isn't murder.

Plot:

Laura and Martin have been married for four years. They seem to be the perfect, happiest and most successful couple...

Plot Keywords:

Deception | Psychological Thriller | New Identity | On The Run | Obsession

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Julia Roberts	...	Laura Burney
Patrick Bergin	...	Martin Burney
Kevin Anderson	...	Ben Woodward
Elizabeth Lawrence	...	Chloe Williams
Kyle Secor	...	Fleishman
Claudette Nevins	...	Dr. Rissner
Tony Abatemarco	...	Locke
Marita Geraghty	...	Julie
Harley Venton	...	Garber
Nancy Fish	...	Woman on Bus
Sandi Shackelford	...	Edna
Bonnie Johnson	...	Mrs. Nepper (as Bonnie Cook)
Graham Harrington	...	Minister
John Ward	...	Theater Student (as John David Ward)
Sharon J. Robinson	...	Sharon (the Nurse)

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (DeLuxe)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Spain:13 | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Iceland:14 (original rating) | Brazil:14 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | Germany:16 | Norway:15 | Peru:18 | Singapore:M18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia)

Filming Locations:

Abbeville, South Carolina, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Star 'Julia Roberts' caused a controversy after she left Abbeville, South Carolina, where the film shot some location work. She said the place was "a living hell" and a "horribly racist" town and she would never return there again.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Laura emerges from the sea after her feigned drowning, both she and her hair are soaking wet. However, as she runs towards the beach house her hair is almost dry and flowing behind her. When she enters the beach house, her hair switches back to being wet and straggly.

Quotes:

Laura: [on phone, with gun aimed at Martin] Come quickly. I've just killed an intruder.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Simpsons: Sleeping with the Enemy (#16.3)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

CIRCLE OF ONE

Been there before!

"Sleeping With the Enemy" is a predictable, 'been there before' thriller that never seems to find any inspiration no matter how desperately cast and crew try. I can't believe a bunch of my friends talked me into seeing this at the movies some sixteen years ago.

The complete lack of originality from the Ronald Bass screenplay (based upon the Nancy Price novel) does not help, nor does the stale direction of Joseph Ruben or the very average performance from Julia Roberts. The supporting cast including Patrick Bergin and Kevin Anderson do little to help.

There really isn't a lot to say. Just give it a miss.

Sunday, April 14, 1991 - Hoyts Cinema Centre Melbourne