Newlyweds Ryan O'Neal and Leslie Ann Warren have to deal with her psychotic Eex, jetsetter Peter Haskell whose narcissism doesn't allow him to let her go so easily. She was engaged to him and saying goodbye to ex-boyfriend O'Neal when Haskell beat him up while Warren tried to pull him off. After O'Neal is out of the hospital, Warren accepts his proposal and they moved to California 5000 miles away, but that doesn't stop Haskell from continuing to stalk her. Haskell is warned early in the film by Warren's father, Henry Jones, to leave his daughter alone, and later on, he learns from her mother Jeff Donnell that she has gotten married. He doesn't accept defeat easily, and the stalking gets scarier and scarier with him even pretending to be engaged to get the scent off the trail of his diabolical plans.
These types of movies are difficult to watch because they are so true to life and anybody who has dealt with a vindictive ex can relate to Warren and O'Neal's situation. Haskell is the type of person who feels that his position in life gives him the right to do exactly what he wants without accountability, and he has the money and resources to go wherever he wants on a moment's notice. Every time Haskell claims to love her, I cringe, because his performance is so realistic and scary you can see the determination in his eyes of not giving up. His performance reminds me of crazy characters played by John Glover and Marjoe Gortner, a far cry from the older romantic heroes I knew him from on the soap operas in the 80's. This is the type of film that you can be uncomfortable watching but still be engrossed by it, keeping your fingers crossed as he gets his comeuppance. Good performances all around and a very intense atmosphere.
These types of movies are difficult to watch because they are so true to life and anybody who has dealt with a vindictive ex can relate to Warren and O'Neal's situation. Haskell is the type of person who feels that his position in life gives him the right to do exactly what he wants without accountability, and he has the money and resources to go wherever he wants on a moment's notice. Every time Haskell claims to love her, I cringe, because his performance is so realistic and scary you can see the determination in his eyes of not giving up. His performance reminds me of crazy characters played by John Glover and Marjoe Gortner, a far cry from the older romantic heroes I knew him from on the soap operas in the 80's. This is the type of film that you can be uncomfortable watching but still be engrossed by it, keeping your fingers crossed as he gets his comeuppance. Good performances all around and a very intense atmosphere.