She says, Sleeping with the Enemy wants it's royalties.
13 Reviews
Julia Roberts just called ...
gchaika-202848 March 2021
In Denial
lavatch15 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
"Sleeping with Danger" is billed as a thriller. In fact, it is a psychological drama that offers a textbook case of the phenomenon of denial. We see the domestic tragedy unfold from the perspective of Grace Turner in her relationship with Dr. Paul Carter. But it takes Grace too long to admit that the man who she believes is capable of unconditional love is in fact a monster. Unfortunately, for a psychological film, there was not a lot of psychological depth.
The performer playing Dr. Paul Carter succeeded in portraying the "two faces" of Paul. On the one hand, he can be charming and devoted. He then can turn on dime to become possessive, controlling, and violent.
Viewers watching this movie will get frustrated with the glacially slow response of Grace, who remains in complete denial about Paul. First, there were ugly incidents where his jealousy flared. Then, there was the rough stuff in the bedroom that left Grace with bruises. Even after he fired gunshots at her, she gave him another chance.
A disappointing component of the film was in the depiction of the support group where Grace had sought sanctuary from Paul. While the group leader showed Grace a pie chart about the elements of spousal abuse, she and the members of the group were not nearly graphic enough in expressing precisely why they were all present in a shelter for battered women. More concrete experiences needed to be shared for a convincing support group.
In the end, the film's focus was primarily on the depraved actions of a psychopath. In the denouement, Grace's "letter" written to a deceased victim of Paul's abhorrent behavior was a melodramatic capstone to a film that was unable or unwilling to shine the light on the principal characteristic of the protagonist: denial.
The performer playing Dr. Paul Carter succeeded in portraying the "two faces" of Paul. On the one hand, he can be charming and devoted. He then can turn on dime to become possessive, controlling, and violent.
Viewers watching this movie will get frustrated with the glacially slow response of Grace, who remains in complete denial about Paul. First, there were ugly incidents where his jealousy flared. Then, there was the rough stuff in the bedroom that left Grace with bruises. Even after he fired gunshots at her, she gave him another chance.
A disappointing component of the film was in the depiction of the support group where Grace had sought sanctuary from Paul. While the group leader showed Grace a pie chart about the elements of spousal abuse, she and the members of the group were not nearly graphic enough in expressing precisely why they were all present in a shelter for battered women. More concrete experiences needed to be shared for a convincing support group.
In the end, the film's focus was primarily on the depraved actions of a psychopath. In the denouement, Grace's "letter" written to a deceased victim of Paul's abhorrent behavior was a melodramatic capstone to a film that was unable or unwilling to shine the light on the principal characteristic of the protagonist: denial.
Too good for Lifetime
tomfsloan8 June 2021
This was more like a real movie than a Lifetime movie. It was actually very good. The acting was surprisingly good. Not a perfect script but it held my interest. The plot holes are acceptable because this was based on a true story. And truth is always stranger than fiction. My only real complaint was the climax was more or less jammed into the last couple minutes. They could have compressed the first hour to make more room in the end. Overall, I'm impressed.
Should have been called "Sleeping with a Psycho" - very unpleasant!
mja584 June 2021
This movie was very unpleasant - the antagonist was a mentally unstable man that somehow was able to seduce women with his charm and then terrorize them.
My views:
1. How old was Paul? His "daughter" looked like his sister!!!!
2. Why was Grace so forgiving? This guy was was a nut!!!
3. He confesses that he had a bi-polar disorder -- so was he not seeing a shrink?
4. The ending was unpleasant, but satisfying non the less.
Please watch to the conclusion, then have a couple of drinks!
My views:
1. How old was Paul? His "daughter" looked like his sister!!!!
2. Why was Grace so forgiving? This guy was was a nut!!!
3. He confesses that he had a bi-polar disorder -- so was he not seeing a shrink?
4. The ending was unpleasant, but satisfying non the less.
Please watch to the conclusion, then have a couple of drinks!
Point Counterpoint
hoops-534366 July 2022
The lead plays an intelligent, experienced woman who wants to make positive changes in her life. But, like so many LMN women, she falls into the sack with someone she barely knows and obviously knows nothing about his past. The clue bus gave her plenty of opportunities to take a ride and arrive in a better place, but she keeps going back no matter what.
To paraphrase the movie airplane: "Shana, she bought her ticket, she knew what she was getting into. I say let her crash."
To paraphrase the movie airplane: "Shana, she bought her ticket, she knew what she was getting into. I say let her crash."
Very well done and well acted
deedrala17 August 2020
Finally I can give a positive favorable review for a Lifetime movie. Even though the subject matter was upsetting, I thoroughly enjoyed this flick and didn't feel like I was watching a middle school play with a script written by drunken morons. Another plus: no Vivica Fox in sight, much less coyly mewing "He was the WRONG fiance..." at the very end.
This was carried out entirely by intelligent, talented, non-self absorbed adults, which was so refreshing and unfortunately rare on LMN. The direction was smooth and unfaltering, as the story moved along at a good pace - increasingly building up the tension and suspense that would inevitably culminate in a shockingly brutal ending.
I wouldn't have missed this movie for anything, since I've been an avid reader of true crime books for decades and Ann Rule was one of the best true crime authors of all time. I'm just relieved that LMN did her justice and didn't embarrass her longtime fans, friends, and family - and her legacy.
I gave it 8 out of 10 mainly because it was never explained how Grace obtained Neva's address from just a Christmas card, that she grabbed from the table at the clinic. There was no envelope with the card, and the address wouldn't have been on the card, unless Neva had written it on the back but that's not usually done.
This movie is a perfect example of the statement I've made in several of my reviews here that I know that LMN is capable of putting out excellent movies every now and then - so why are so many of their flicks such all-around wastes of space and time?
**NOTE: the main female lead character played by Elisabeth Rohm is named Grace Tanner, but here on imdb in the cast list, it's Kate Jewell. Apparently they changed it at the last minute.
Grade: B+
This was carried out entirely by intelligent, talented, non-self absorbed adults, which was so refreshing and unfortunately rare on LMN. The direction was smooth and unfaltering, as the story moved along at a good pace - increasingly building up the tension and suspense that would inevitably culminate in a shockingly brutal ending.
I wouldn't have missed this movie for anything, since I've been an avid reader of true crime books for decades and Ann Rule was one of the best true crime authors of all time. I'm just relieved that LMN did her justice and didn't embarrass her longtime fans, friends, and family - and her legacy.
I gave it 8 out of 10 mainly because it was never explained how Grace obtained Neva's address from just a Christmas card, that she grabbed from the table at the clinic. There was no envelope with the card, and the address wouldn't have been on the card, unless Neva had written it on the back but that's not usually done.
This movie is a perfect example of the statement I've made in several of my reviews here that I know that LMN is capable of putting out excellent movies every now and then - so why are so many of their flicks such all-around wastes of space and time?
**NOTE: the main female lead character played by Elisabeth Rohm is named Grace Tanner, but here on imdb in the cast list, it's Kate Jewell. Apparently they changed it at the last minute.
Grade: B+
Lifetime movie
SnoopyStyle18 March 2023
Grace Tanner (Elisabeth Röhm) falls for her alternative medicine doctor Paul Carter (Antonio Cupo). It develops into a full romance, but underlying issues balloon into a run for her life.
This is a Lifetime movie. At least, they bought the distribution. It's their standard woman-in-danger plot. It's all very standard and very second-rate. I like Röhm over the years but she does come off a little cool. The biggest issue is the male lead. I don't know much about him. He seems to be a veteran TV actor. I probably seen him before, but I wouldn't know. In addition, the character is too bland. I get the idea of transformation from nice guy to possessive creep. They just really need a good meet-cute. It can't be as boring this one. I don't care that this copies every other one of these movies. I just want it to be good.
This is a Lifetime movie. At least, they bought the distribution. It's their standard woman-in-danger plot. It's all very standard and very second-rate. I like Röhm over the years but she does come off a little cool. The biggest issue is the male lead. I don't know much about him. He seems to be a veteran TV actor. I probably seen him before, but I wouldn't know. In addition, the character is too bland. I get the idea of transformation from nice guy to possessive creep. They just really need a good meet-cute. It can't be as boring this one. I don't care that this copies every other one of these movies. I just want it to be good.
Quite good movie!
Chartreuse12 August 2020
Elisabeth Rohm stars as Grace, an stewardess who meets Paul, an alternative therapy doctor, who woos and wants to marry her. I think they may have her character's name later for whatever reason. But the trouble is with Paul who is a violent, controlling psycho who mentally and physically abuses Grace and keeps her isolated. Will Grace ever escape. You will have to tune in to find out! Highly recommend this movie!
One of the best movies addressing domestic violence
tichelle7711 October 2020
From the beginning, the movie draws you into this troubled relationship because of the excellent acting on the part of the main characters. It does an excellent job of showing the abuser and the abused's descent into madness. An important watch for people to understand this cycle of violence.
Elizabeth Rohm at her finest
rs-896197 August 2020
Good Message
bobicafge22 January 2023
Okay, I straight up have to admit that I have recently become addicted to these Lifetime "inspired by true events" movies. They have this melodramatic formula, but it works in terms of making you care what the outcome will be. In this case, I like Elizabeth Rohm, and her character seems like one who would never put up with abuse, thus showing that it can happen to anyone, even those who think they would never tolerate abuse. It shows how easy it is to rationalize staying in such a relationship. For that reason, I find this film's message to be valuable, and the performances believable. I actually think it would be valuable to allow women in abusive relationships watch this and discuss it in a group therapy situation.
So Very True
angelacspeer15 May 2022
Controlling and manipulative men gradually wear you down, give seemingly plausible responses that ultimately stoll feel a little "off". Meanwhile a woman's intuition abowhat feels safe and ok is screaming at her, stomach doing flip flops, and yet she will "manage" it fearing injury, saying it's OK, I got this, I got this. Classic domestic abuse. Totally disgusting.
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