I have had the VHS for about two years now and watched it again most recently. It is a good movie even after Rufus, the storyline and acting are complete, do not confuse and leave you quite unnerved. He is exceptionally creepy, of course to his credit. The park scene was my favorite maybe because of the audacity he shows in confronting her, taking and kissing her hand - I couldn't help thinking how my heart would sink and I would probably shake internally for God knows how long, if this were me in real life - I would probably run and still be running.

As for Tim - I think he was all talk and no action - a little leaguer who didn't realize he was going to be called up to play in the Majors.

If this was going to be Tim's approach to women, he needs to get a new line. The right women would need to eviscerate him and then build him up to be a more secure individual. Tim is one dysfunctional puppy!  

Tinkerdog—

I just watched this for the first time...and probably won't watch it again. What a scuzzy little movie, and what a sleazy character Tim was.

It's testament to Rufus's acting ability that I really did not like him at all in this - even Jasper in The Holiday was nicer (slimy, yes, but not sinister like Tim)! He completely inhabited the role of repressed, mentally disturbed loner, getting his kicks in frightening women (the w*nking scene was truly disturbing), and although he was perhaps too good-looking (sorry, Rufus, you may think it's a handicap, but there you are) for the way the character was portrayed, the sense of wanting to have power over women, maybe through sexual inadequacy, was palpable, and the threats he made to Bella seemed entirely possible.

I don't think he could carry off this role so well now (even if he wanted to be a part of such a tacky endeavor) because one of his strengths here was his youth - the sense that maybe Tim was like he was due to his inexperience with women.

If you haven't seen it, do, if only to see just how creepy Rufus can act.

Just don't expect to put it on your list of "favourite roles".

GE2—

I am probably out in left field again, but I thought it was one of the most schizophrenic movies I have ever seen. Somewhat serious in the beginning (really bad in every aspect as well) then in the middle, with the over weight professor, it seemed to become campy & funny. Then as you see her response to the dentist's actions & the confrontation in the alley with the old lady it becomes very dark & you soon begin to realize that the paths of the 2 stalkers will eventually meet.

Rufus' character...I couldn't get a handle on. Was he a really nasty piece of work or.....did he see the potential for an S&M type of relationship with her & therefore was trying to coerce that from her. I have heard that abusers can recognize victims as if they had it written across their foreheads but I also realize this was a simple movie presented in simple terms. I love the way he hovered around her in the park & can see why others thought he had enough talent to give him more roles, but I didn't like what I 'thought' was hissing coming from him on the phone when he was calling her with his "ideas". That gave me the creeps.

britfan—

Well I finally got this one and watched it............EEEEWWWWW!

Overall, this was one of the worst films I've seen in a while (I agree, Twenty-One is better, not by much, but it was better).........that said, Rufus was REALLY good as the creepy neighbor peeping Tim! I think he WAS dangerous.........that whole scene in the park........oh mygosh! He was just so disgustingly creepy and scary! And I think, if she hadn't done what she did, I really believe he would have escalated to hurting her in a big way.

Rufus was very young in this, and that does make it seem plausible as a role for him. I think he could pull off a creep again, but in a different way. I don't see watching this one again!

mcr5137—

I saw DW for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I had been warned but wasn't prepared for Tim after all. I think he was a Sociopath unable to relate to women on any other level. Any kindness shown to him would surely have been misinterpreted. He certainly showed no empathy for Bella. While in the Park he hurt her hand before kissing it, and then asked her "Why do I want to hurt you?" as though she was to blame for his feelings toward her. Because he had the audacity to approach her and abuse her in such a public arena, I think he was capable of physical violence toward her in private. I think he had already dehumanized her in his mind. The only time I felt sorry for him was when she switched roles taking control away & asked him his name. At that point you glimpsed the pathetic boy beneath the cruelty. Before the end of the conversation he punished her for this by calmly telling her he had a present for her, something that comes in a bottle to put on her skin. Acid. Other than a hammer to the skull, I think the only thing that would have changed Tim's behavior was intensive psychological therapy. I believe he was truly unstable, and not to be taken lightly. Rufus was very very good!! The rest of the movie was fairly ridiculous.

ree—