Reviews & Ratings for
Sleeping with the Devil (TV) More at IMDbPro »

13 out of 15 people found the following review useful:
interesting version of a true story, 6 March 2005

Author: blanche-2 from United States

This movie is based on a true story that appeared on "Unsolved Mysteries" and was turned into a book by Suzanne Finstad. The real-life woman is a remarkable human being who entered into a relationship with a handsome con man, only to find out that he was already married, and everything else about him was a sham. She ultimately cannot get away from him. He stalks her and eventually puts her in a wheelchair. He then leaves the country. She goes on to pursue justice, marry her rehabilitation doctor, and enter the medical field herself. In fact, by selling her rights to her story for this TV movie, she was able to fulfill her dream of attending medical school.

The fact that this is a true story makes the movie interesting all by itself. Plus the presence of Tim Matheson, as far as I'm concerned, never hurt any movie. Here was a couple, as portrayed by the beautiful Ms. Doherty and the hunky Mr. Matheson - that looked to the outside world to be perfectly matched beautiful people, with the attendant money and social standing. Behind closed doors was something much different. The main character (whose real name is Barbara) learned the hard way that if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

9 out of 10 people found the following review useful:
TOUCHING!, 13 October 2003
Author: (narnerbee) from U.S.A.

This film was touching, not just because it was one of those you-can-do-it survival films, but because it dealt with the personal freedom we all wish to have. Nice young girl (Doherty) is put upon by evil hearted ex-lover (Matheson). Doherty is well defined as an ambitious nurse, who is later a victim of the most uncontrolably disasterous relation. This film shows much relation to the tragedy of Dominique Dunne story, and it's a shame Dunne's life did not end up like the Doherty character, however, the film does get the message accross, that everyones bill comes to. Always fun to watch Doherty, and an actually believable Matheson, this one was rather good.

6 out of 7 people found the following review useful:
Standard, cautionary TV-movie of the week, 3 April 2000

Author: brude2000 from Newberg, Oregon

A manipulative Texas businessman (Tim Matheson) uses resources in high places to terrorize and subjugate former girlfriend Shannen Doherty ("Beverly Hills 90210") in this precautionary tale supposedly "based on a true story." Do people this rotten really exist? And, does Tim Matheson have a corner on the market for playing them in these cheap teledramas?

Doherty plays a recuperating rape victim who's also an ER nurse and a triathlete when she meets up with the suave (yet sinister) Dick Strang, the egomaniacal owner of a string of health spas. Strang, on the tail end of a bitter divorce battle, turns on the lovely Ms. Doherty with a vengeance, culminating in a hail of gunfire. Paralyzed from the neck down, Doherty makes a determined bid to walk again, convict the untouchable Strang and marry the orthopedic surgeon of her dreams.

Sounds too good to be true, eh? It's unfortunate that the provocative title effectively tips director William A. Graham's hand early, completely dispelling any element of suspense.

4 out of 6 people found the following review useful:
Moving Drama, 9 June 2004

Author: ashleybox64 from england

** Spolier Warning **

I watched this movie, and was moved by it - i thought the story was great in it, i liked it ..

the story .. a women "Shannen Doherty" is recovering from a domestic violence relationship, only her former boyfriend is not happy with her - and she leaves him so he then sets of trying to get her. He then tries to have her killed, but she ends up unable to walk, she is then upset by not being able to walk as she is trying out for some run. she then sees an ad on the TV and wants to help out for free. She then learns how to walk - her boyfriend is finally caught. it ends with a very happy ending.

this movie displays some of Shannens best acting skills, and the soundtrack to the film is great. a very good job done, by the cast and crew of the film.

1 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
Typical "based on a true story" movie of the week fodder., 8 February 1999

Author: Pookins from Tampa, Florida

The story starts out with the trials and tribulations of a driven young woman. She gets to know an older man who shares her love of working out and quickly develops a relationship with him. Essentially the moral of the story boils down to 'rich, competitive men are bad.' While I would tend to agree with this sentiment, I don't think that poorly produced "survivor" accounts are a good way for anyone to to spend an hour and a half of their life.

1 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
Tim good, Shannen BAD!, 7 May 2006

Author: ritaskeeter-1 from United Kingdom

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

This movie ain't bad at all, shame the leading female wasn't cast to someone better tho.

I admit to not being a fan of Docherty but her performance really is wooden and irritating at times. She has probably 2 facial expressions throughout the entire film - I'm so glad she was kicked off Charmed!!!

Anyhow, Tim delivers a really good performance and proves just how good an actor he is, to go from doting lover to cold, cruel baddie. He really is convincing in the role.

Great afternoon movie when you've nothing to do but chill. Also has a satisfying ending as well, guaranteed to make you happy.

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