Dormindo com o Perigo

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+

OMG, this movie brought back a lot issues even for me.

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.

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.

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.