Deep Sleep

"Deep Sleep" is a well-paced psychological thriller, reminiscent of Hitchcock's "Marnie". It makes appropriate connections between right-wing politics and violence, in the manner of John Sayles' films. Intriguing and worth watching. The lead role is played by Megan Follows (of TV's Anne of Green Gables fame) as an emotionally volatile young woman, a brilliant bit of casting. The plot twists, turns and goes in directions that may surprise the viewer. Solid performances are given by other actors in supporting roles. The controversial issues explored by "Deep Sleep" are not glossed over nor trivialized. The director and writer, Patricia Gruben's creativity, though fueled by her anger, never treats the audience as prisoners to a "correct" polemic or point of view. We are left to understand our own responses to vividly photographed scenes of physical and emotional hide-and-seek that work on many levels. A viewer attentive to the verbal and visual clues may unlock the mystery before the shock ending.