"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.