The Accused (1988)

There are so many rapes which take place in every country around the world, every minute. Many people hardly do anything about it, and this movie focuses on that. It explores a lot of themes, mainly, that instigators are just as responsible for rape, as the actual perpetrators are. The complexity of the lead character, and her lawyer are commendable, being that this was among the very first movies which dealt with rape on a huge basis. Towards the end, there is the recounting of the rape, which might be highly disturbing for some to see, but this is what happens around us, and many of us hardly do anything about it. Jodie Foster is exceptional in her truly well deserved Oscar performance here. Kelly McGillis, herself a rape victim, plays a lawyer with tremendous character. This is high intensity drama at its best, and explores situations where the woman is put the blame upon for wearing over-revealing clothes, or behaving in a certain way so as to attract males, which is false, of course. Flirtatious, or being over-friendly does not account for the woman saying yes to her opposite sex, which many males mistake even today. And this ends up in rape, and leads to disgusting "reasoning" for their actions. It is highly imperative that all of us watch this movie, and learn a lesson.

This movie was brilliantly acted, by Jodie Foster and Kelly McGillis, at least. However, it's also very hard to watch at times, not to mention infuriating, esp. the rape scene. On the other hand, certain scenes involving the justice system, are pretty angering as well. Don't get me wrong, it is a good movie and very powerful, but anyone-male or female, with any compassion for rape victims regardless of the circumstances, and this "she was asking for it" doesn't fly well with me, either, only a chauvinist would think that! Well, once again, I'm obviously wrong because a lot of men think with the head below the waist instead of their brain. For the record, 98% of the time, I have little to no compassion for rapists, but I do believe slow-minded people can be forced into things, but that is clearly not the case in this film. These men knew exactly what they were doing, and didn't care, that infuriated me!

Jodie Foster is a woman who gets gang raped at a pinball machine at a bar in this based on a true story movie that won Oscars. While at the first trial for rape, the perpetrators receive a light sentence, for what Foster believes to be because of her character and how she was dressed - the "she shouldn't have been out at night or dressed that way" excuse. She hires Kelly McGillis to charge the men again and it plays out in court. The movie gives different POV's and shows graphic details of the attack several times. Foster gives an outstanding performance. The actors who play the perpetrators are stereotypes however and it does diminish a bit from the overall film. The movie is a definite roller coaster ride and will stay with you afterwards. A sign of a good movie

I watched this movie for Jodie Foster and she is the only one who carries this movie through. Kelly McGillis has nothing to add to the movie. She had a good role and she could not do justice to it. What this movie needed was a strong performance form her and she could not give it. She has slept right through the film. The courtroom scene should have had more conviction. The story is pretty well written the dialogues could have been better especially in the courtroom scene. The ending is expected. Watch the movie for Jodie Foster and the story. Do not have any high expectations form it.