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poster of The Accused
Rating: 7.016/10 by 589 users

The Accused (1988)

After a young woman suffers a brutal rape in a bar one night, a prosecutor assists in bringing the perpetrators to justice, including the ones who encouraged and cheered on the attack.

Directing:
  • Jonathan Kaplan
  • Lara Fox
  • David W. Rose
Writing:
  • Tom Topor
Stars:
Release Date: Fri, Oct 14, 1988

Rating: 7.016/10 by 589 users

Alternative Title:
Sotto accusa - IT

Country:
Canada
United States of America
Language:
English
Runtime: 01 hour 51 minutes
Budget: $0
Revenue: $0

Plot Keyword: rape, alcohol, boston, massachusetts, clothing, lawyer, shocking, hostile, frantic, grim, courtroom drama, provocative, suspenseful, frightened, frustrated, horrified, inflammatory
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Kelly McGillis
Kathryn Murphy
Jodie Foster
Sarah Tobias
Bernie Coulson
Kenneth Joyce
Leo Rossi
Cliff "Scorpion" Albrect
Ann Hearn
Sally Fraser
Carmen Argenziano
D.A. Paul Rudolph
Steve Antin
Bob Joiner
Peter Van Norden
Attorney Paulsen
Terry David Mulligan
Lieutenant Duncan
Scott Paulin
Attorney Wainwright
Tom Heaton
Bartender Jesse
Andrew Kavadas
Defendant Matt Haines
Tom McBeath
Defendant Stu Holloway
Linda Darlow
Rape Center Woman
Veena Sood
Woman Orderly
Allan Lysell
Assistant D.A. Massi
Antony Holland
Plea Bargain Lawyer
Kevin McNulty
Plea Bargain Lawyer
Jerry Wasserman
Plea Bargain Lawyer
Marsha Andrews
TV Commentator
Mike Winlaw
TV Commentator
Pamela Martin
TV Commentator
Walter Marsh
Bail Hearing Judge (as Wally Marsh)
Deryl Hayes
Court Officer
E. Andrea Klann
Court Reporter
Dana Still
Jury Foreman
Denalda Williams
Sarah's Mother on Phone (voice)
Babs Chula
Woman Lawyer
Peter Bibby
Dinner Party Date
Rebecca Toolan
911 Operator
Stephen Dimopoulos
Complaining Customer
Laurie O'Byrne
Complaining Customer
Freda Perry
Receptionist
Jim Bedard
Second Bartender
Kirsten Keane
Sally's Daughter
Garry Chalk
Courthouse Reporter (as Gary Chalk)
Garwin Sanford
Courthouse Reporter
Gloria Lee
Courthouse Reporter
Stephen Brent Lambert
Courthouse Reporter
Matt LaFleur
Courthouse Reporter
Michele Goodger
Courthouse Reporter
Scott Walden
Record Store Clerk
Jim Browning
Second Bailiff (uncredited)
David Paul Hewitt White
Hockey Fan (uncredited)

CinemaSerf

We start this film with the image of a young woman, half dressed, running in the rain screaming for help. It turns out she is "Sarah" (Jodie Foster) and after a passer-by takes her to hospital we learn that she has been gang raped in the games room of a bar. Deputy DA "Murphy" (Kelly McGillis) is assigned to the case, and although she believes her client, she is reluctant to prosecute as she doesn't think she can win. Her DA boss "Rudolph" (Carmen Argenziano) insists that they must change the accused three men with something, so they settle on a lesser charge after some plea bargaining. Needless to say, "Sarah" is livid, and tempers really flare when one of the other men from the bar that night, goads her into ramming her car into his. This is the point when the ambitious lawyer has a bit of a volte-face and despite the objections this time of her boss, she initiates a prosecution of the others in the bar for egging on the rapists - criminal solicitation. Can she prove these men are guilty? If so, that will also ensure those who got off lightly will also end up serving full sentences and have the nature of their sexual assaults placed on their criminal records. Foster is impressive here. She offers us a compelling portrayal of a young woman who suffers an heinous assault and struggles for justice. McGillis also delivers well, as does Bernie Coulson - the young "Ken" upon whom much of the chances of conviction rest. The graphically violent scenes towards the end of the trial stages are harrowing, disturbing and effective, and they also provide for an unnervingly nauseating performance from the vocal architect of her assault "Scorpion" (Leo Rossi). The drama is tough to watch, and offers food for thought as to just how victims can ever receive fair treatment in a legal environment that all too frequently takes a "was she asking for it?" approach, and is so oft just automatically stacked against them.


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