Sleeping With the Enemy (1991)

Released: 1991
Running Time: 95 mins
Genre: Thriller
Estimated Budget: $19,000,000
Estimated Gross: $101,580,000

Director: Joseph Ruben
Stars: Julia Roberts, Patrick Bergin, Kevin Anderson

Tagline: She is a stranger in a small town. She changed her name. Her looks. Her life. All to escape the most dangerous man she's ever met. Her husband.

This film was released the year I was born but it was another 16 years before my mum introduced it to me. Sleeping with the Enemy was on TV the other night and like always, when it is on I have to sit and watch it.

This is a very underrated Julia Roberts film, she plays Laura Burney a terrorized young woman in a hellish marriage. Her husband Martin is an abusive imposing figure, he is controlling to an obsessive degree and his temper can switch within seconds leaving Laura permanently on edge. Laura constructs an elaborate plan, years in the making, she fakes her own death to escape from the threat that is her husband. She moves to a quaint friendly town, changes her name and tries to move on with her life, with the help of her new neighbour.

Not the kind of film many would have expected coming off the success that was Pretty Woman, but this is a simple but extremely effective thriller. There is always an underlying sense of danger, Bergin's is a dominating performance on-screen and his presence can be felt throughout the movie. The use of Hector Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique is a haunting but brilliant way to signify not only how menacing Martin is, but also to inform the audience when he is there. This has the desired effect on both Laura's character and the audience as when they hear the music they feel a chill, they expect the worst.

Roberts performance in this film is incredibly authentic rather than the usual outgoing confidence she exuded in roles of this period, in this film she is reserved, on edge and closed off. Her husbands treatment of her over 3 miserable years has affected her terribly and the most impressive part of her performance is when Laura moves to her new home and begins to learn how to be happy and enjoy life again. Laura meets Ben a teacher who lives next door who pursues her with nothing but kindness, seeing Laura try to allow somebody in after her traumatic ordeal is very moving.

But as can only be expected from a thriller, the elaborate plan wasn't entirely successful and it is not long until Martin is on her trail. With a nail-biting finale this is an exciting and enjoyable film, you cannot fail to get involved with a thriller. The genre alone connects with an audience unlike many others, thrillers are not popcorn movies where you leave you brain at the door before you watch, thrillers keep you stimulated and have you guessing until the end.

Check this film out, it is such a simple story but done so well and Julia Roberts is brilliant, 8/10