"Living in Peril," is a low-budget thriller about an architect (Rob Lowe as wimpy "Walter Woods") who moves to Los Angeles and is terrorized by a psychopath whom he has yet to discover the identity of or the motive for. There is not much to the story, and the plot treads on sometimes routine scare tactics.
However, despite having almost no discernibly gripping, or even remotely entertaining plot, this started out as a pretty funny movie, thanks to the confrontations between Woods and his cynical landlord, William, played wonderfully by Dean Stockwell. William thinks Woods is an idiot every time he comes knocking on his door to complain about one thing or another, and its usually about some kind of rat infestation. Nonetheless, many of Woods' bizarre accusations and callings often baffle William, who is sometimes speechless. Woods once pounds on William's door and asks, "did you move my furniture around in my apartment?" and Stockwell, as William, does not even know what to say at such a moronic suggestion. "Who are you?" he replies with almost a homicidal twitch. Walter's German friend, an aspiring stand up comedian, but sometimes absent minded (although well-meaning) guy adds more humor to the story as does Walter's failed attempts at trying to please his employer, usually because something goes wrong in his apartment, thanks to a psychopathic stalker trying to drive him insane.
Then, kind of like the humor in "From the Hip" (an early Judd Nelson comedy/drama) which abruptly shifts into dark drama gear, this movie does the same, shedding its comedic atmosphere (which might have been just enough to contain you despite a weak plot) for the the "thriller" ending, which was a huge disappointment. The killer's motives, once he reveals them as most adversaries do by the end of the film, are completely ridiculous, and almost require a second take to remember who he is talking about in the first place. Unfortunately, the finale is utterly stupid.
I would only half recommend this film, as it starts out in a pretty hilarious fashion, but ultimately, once the filmmakers try to entice you with conflict and climax, fail miserably.
However, despite having almost no discernibly gripping, or even remotely entertaining plot, this started out as a pretty funny movie, thanks to the confrontations between Woods and his cynical landlord, William, played wonderfully by Dean Stockwell. William thinks Woods is an idiot every time he comes knocking on his door to complain about one thing or another, and its usually about some kind of rat infestation. Nonetheless, many of Woods' bizarre accusations and callings often baffle William, who is sometimes speechless. Woods once pounds on William's door and asks, "did you move my furniture around in my apartment?" and Stockwell, as William, does not even know what to say at such a moronic suggestion. "Who are you?" he replies with almost a homicidal twitch. Walter's German friend, an aspiring stand up comedian, but sometimes absent minded (although well-meaning) guy adds more humor to the story as does Walter's failed attempts at trying to please his employer, usually because something goes wrong in his apartment, thanks to a psychopathic stalker trying to drive him insane.
Then, kind of like the humor in "From the Hip" (an early Judd Nelson comedy/drama) which abruptly shifts into dark drama gear, this movie does the same, shedding its comedic atmosphere (which might have been just enough to contain you despite a weak plot) for the the "thriller" ending, which was a huge disappointment. The killer's motives, once he reveals them as most adversaries do by the end of the film, are completely ridiculous, and almost require a second take to remember who he is talking about in the first place. Unfortunately, the finale is utterly stupid.
I would only half recommend this film, as it starts out in a pretty hilarious fashion, but ultimately, once the filmmakers try to entice you with conflict and climax, fail miserably.