I really feel that I have to defend this movie after the ripping it has gotten here. I watched the film without knowing anything about it, and I really enjoyed it. Heather Graham was easy on the eye, and Joseph Fiennes was suitably dark and brooding. I think that the sex scenes, probably allowed people to view this as a cheap skin flick, which is a pity. They probably should have gone further to ensure that Fiennes was viewed as a sadist, and therefore very capable of killing. There was plenty of tension, and the music was suitably Hitchcockian.
If anything, Joseph Fiennes character was too laid back towards the end. As the tension was mounting, more could have been made of the fact he appeared to be a murderer. Instead he was allowed to sit back and protest his innocence. I think had it been a Hitchcock film we would have been in no doubt he had done it, until the end. The sister could have been a really sinister character, but again lacked any development. I am not blaming the actors for this, it is obviously the script. Heather Graham is a better actress than people are giving her credit for here. I think with the lack of development in the Fiennes, and sister characters, she was left to carry the film alone, which she did admirably. I would recommend this film, just watch without prejudice. Incidenally, I married my wife after six days, and without knowing anything about her. We are still married after 32 years, so perhaps Heather was not so crazy, as stated in some of the earlier reviews.
If anything, Joseph Fiennes character was too laid back towards the end. As the tension was mounting, more could have been made of the fact he appeared to be a murderer. Instead he was allowed to sit back and protest his innocence. I think had it been a Hitchcock film we would have been in no doubt he had done it, until the end. The sister could have been a really sinister character, but again lacked any development. I am not blaming the actors for this, it is obviously the script. Heather Graham is a better actress than people are giving her credit for here. I think with the lack of development in the Fiennes, and sister characters, she was left to carry the film alone, which she did admirably. I would recommend this film, just watch without prejudice. Incidenally, I married my wife after six days, and without knowing anything about her. We are still married after 32 years, so perhaps Heather was not so crazy, as stated in some of the earlier reviews.