Dormindo com o Perigo

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.

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!

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+

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.

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.