FRIDAY FLICK: Sleeping with the Enemy

I didn't know this film was an adaptation, but it is. Based on the book of the same name by Nancy Price, this psychological thriller was released in 1991. (Which is what, seventeen years ago? Eek.) Starring Julia Roberts, after her success in Pretty Woman, this demonstrated a whole different side to her acting skills.

Julia plays Laura who lives in a beautiful ocean view house on Cape Cod with her husband Martin (Patrick Bergin). To outsiders their life looks idyllic, but in reality Laura's husband is abusive and possessive. She suffers at his hands for a long time, until a boat trip during a storm she falls overboard, presumed drowned. Her husband knew she couldn't swim.

In flashback we see how she has faked her own death and then moves on to Iowa changing her name to Sara where she hopes her husband never finds her. Unwittingly, though, she has left behind some clues...

I saw this film a short while ago, after not having seen it for years, and even though I knew the ending I was still in suspense. Martin looks a normal enough bloke (critics have said he wasn't scary enough) but I think the fact he looked so normal made him more frightening. We don't know what people are like just from looking at them on the street.

If you have never seen this film (and surely everyone has, unless of course you are a lot younger than me) then watch it. It may appear a little dated now, but if you are into thrillers, especially female led ones (and how many of those are there?), then this is a great film for you.

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