STALKED BY MY DOCTOR
US, 2015, 88 minutes, Colour.
Eric Roberts, Brianna Chomer, Deborah Zoe, John Briddell, Carson Boatman.
Directed by Doug Campbell.
This is the sixth film, up till now, with stalk or stalker in the title directed by Doug Campbell.
As indicated by the title, this is something of a potboiler. A young girl is injured in a car accident while her boyfriend driver is texting. The doctor who perform surgery has psychological and sexual problems, seen confronting women that he meets through an online dating service, going into a rage when he is rejected. This gives Eric Roberts an opportunity to chew up the scenery.
The young girl and her parents are grateful to the doctor but he capitalises on this, intruding into her house, coincidentally meeting her in various situations, finally abducting her.
One of those easy melodramas to watch on television.
1. The title and tone? The performances? The plot developments, increasing melodrama?
2. The California settings, schools, homes, hospitals, restaurants, affluent mansions? The musical score?
3. The focus on Sophie, waiting for the results for college entry, her friend, the boyfriends and football, the drive, Ryan and texting, her apprehension, the crash, their both being in hospital, the parents’ concern, the need for surgery for her heart, recovery, the kiss from Dr Beck, the conscious of this? His attentions? The return home? Recovery, going to see Ryan, forgiving him?
4. The meetings with Dr Beck, giving him the bear and the card, his using it against her, the cup of coffee, in the shop, the gift of the doll, her rejection? Her becoming anxious, at first criticising her mother, than agreeing? Not wanting him to be her doctor? Going to the hospital, changing her appointments with Dr Beck?
5. Her being abducted, tied to the bed, Dr Beck’s treatment, madness? In the box while her mother Ryan visited the house? Her getting free, hitting the doctor with the clubs, the escape, the irony of arriving at her own funeral?
6. Dr Beck, with his online dates, his offering everything in and the reaction of the woman, confronting him? His rage in the alley? Attracted to Sophie? The operation, the kiss, the treatment, talking with her parents? The continued visits, her gratitude for the bear and the card? His hiding in the house, sleeping, listening to Sophie and Ryan? His rage at the rejection? At the hospital, with the staff?
7. In the parking lot, abducting Sophie, tying her up, torment, his killing the woman in the parking lot, the burnt body, substituting it for Sophie, the grief of the parents, the preparation for the funeral? Ryan’s previous visit and hitting him with his crutch? The visit of Ryan and the mother? Dr Beck interfering with her medication and her having to go to hospital, praising Sophie for saving her?
8. Sophie the escape, her hitting Dr Beck with the club? The police going to his house, his being in Mexico – and prepared for his next stalking?
