Creeping Peeping Tom
Susan Wilson (Angie Harmon - Living Proof) and her husband, Gary (Dale Midkiff - A Child Is Missing), were grateful to old friend, Steve Glover (Jamey Sheridan - My Breast), when he offered them one of his houses to rent as they would have never been able to afford it otherwise. But whilst initially appreciative, Steve's constant showing up both at home and when Susan goes out quickly becomes too much, especially when the Wilson's return home from a short break to discover Steve and his family had moved themselves in as they had heating problems at their place. But then things take a turn for the creepy when Steve brings up things which Susan had said in the privacy of her home leading to her suspecting that maybe he is secretly watching them in their home.
It shouldn't comes as a surprise that "Video Voyeur: The Susan Wilson Story" is based on a true story, it has that sort of title which suggests it. But whilst I am a fan of true story movies some true stories work on the screen and others do not and this is one which doesn't. The trouble is that it is not that "Video Voyeur: The Susan Wilson Story" isn't an interesting movie but more that this is a movie which ends up walking through a story without really delivering the drama.
The problems with "Video Voyeur: The Susan Wilson Story" start right from the word go as for the first half hour we are kept in the dark as to who is bugging the Wilson's home, just seeing the occasional hidden camera footage of Susan in the shower. But it makes it plainly obvious that the creep doing the peeping is their friend and landlord, Steve, as he is constantly hanging around and being the helpful neighbour. It means that when eventually he makes a remark to Susan which makes her suspicious that he is being a peeping Tom and listening in to what they say there is no shock it is just inevitable.
Now this wouldn't be so bad if what follows improved but unfortunately it doesn't. I won't go into details but because after such an obvious opening some surprises would be nice but there are so few. It still makes "Video Voyeur: The Susan Wilson Story" an interesting movie which highlights the impact the voyeurism has on Susan but one which if it hadn't been based on a true story could have been a lot better with more drama.
The good news is that whilst "Video Voyeur: The Susan Wilson Story" struggles as a movie it is well cast with Angie Harmon and Dale Midkiff working well as Susan and Gary Wilson especially Harmon who delivers the elements of emotional impact on Susan's life. And then there is Jamey Sheridan as Steve and whilst the character is far too obvious the fact he is so creepy in being a good guy makes him unsettling.
What this all boils down to is that "Video Voyeur: The Susan Wilson Story" is an interesting movie but also an ordinary one stuck by trying to be realistic rather than going for drama.
