Peeping Tom (1960)

Not since Malcolm McDowell's portrayal of Alex DeLarge in "A Clockwork Orange" have I found a character so down-right creepy as Peeping Tom's Mark Lewis. Perhaps it's his intensity, or lack of one. I'm not sure. He almost puts nothing in the role while at the same time puts his soul into every bit of it. Or maybe it's his Austrian accent that I find so creepy.

Mark Lewis is an inspiring director who seems perfectly fine, though maybe a little socially awkward, by all who know him. What they don't know is that he wanders the streets of London with his camera, and films women and their reactions to him killing them. He's not interested in the actual act, nor does he film the act itself. Mark's only obsession is filming the victim's reactions of terror. He spends countless hours watching these films over and over.

He eventually befriends a very sweet, yet intrusive woman who lives in his building, named Helen, who at parts totally steals the scenes she's in. When their quirky friendship develops into something more serious, Mark struggles with the issues of "filming" her or not. Her mother, who is either blind or seeing impaired, knows something isn't right with Mark.

I may need a day or two to really process this movie. I'm not sure if I like it or not. At points I was totally enchanted, others I was just wondering if he'd get caught already!