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The Accused

1988

Jonathan Kaplan

Jodie Foster, Kelly McGillis, Bernie Coulson, Ann Hearn ...

6.4

6,395

Drama This movie is based on actual events. Sarah Tobias goes into a bar one night and winds up being gang raped by 3 guys. She is introduced to an attorney named Katherine Murphy. Not only does Katherine Murphy want to go after the men who commited the rape, she wants to go after the men in the bar who cheered it on. But Katherine has her work cut out for her. Her client has a past, and that past could be used against her in court.

	Author	Review
United Kingdom	Rob Beattie Empire	"This dark and bitter pill has not been sweetened by the Hollywood bubblegum machine (...) The rape scene is devastating, harrowing and utterly convincing (...) Rating: ★★★★★ (out of 5)"	POS
United States	Vincent Canby The New York Times	"Though not a re-enactment of an actual case, it has the conviction of an unusually laconic docudrama (...) The film also features a splendid performance by Jodie Foster"	POS
United States	TV Guide	"A predictable picture that lacks emotional insight; it works only because of the onscreen bond between Foster, who won a much-deserved Oscar for her performance, and McGillis."	NEU
United Kingdom	Joanna Berry Radio Times	"Yes, the rape scene is explicit and designed to shock. But both Foster and Kelly McGillis, as the crusading lawyer, are superb and the film raises some pointed questions about an emotive subject."	POS
Canada	The Globe and Mail	"An experience that is sometimes unbearable and always riveting"	POS
United States	Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times	"For some men, the movie will reveal a truth that most women already know. It is that verbal sexual harassment, is a form of violence (...) Rating: ★★★ (out of 4)"	POS
United States	Rita Kempley The Washington Post	"Foster creates the ultimate victim without ever becoming a wimp, mixing dignity with defenselessness. 'The Accused' must be acquitted of its misdemeanors if not for its good intentions, for this vibrant performance."	POS
United States	Jay Carr Boston Globe	"'The Accused' is far from a perfect film, but it's got a terrific performance by Foster"	POS
United States	Bill Cosford Miami Herald	"The great film that 'The Accused' could have been is in there. So is Foster's lovely, measured work, the work of an actress at the top of her art"	POS

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