Search - The Accused on DVD

Excellent Performance by Jodie Foster

Lillian Patterson | Big Rapids, MI | 07/22/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This film is pretty much a run of the mill made for TV flick up until the startling, graphic rape scene. However this distinction must be made. First, TV movies just weren't made about this subject until after this film came out--it opened many doors, and for that it should be applauded. Second, Jodie Foster gives an excellent performance and provides an unflinching look at how rape can ruin a victim's life.
Also, this film deserves credit for portraying the victim as a strong willed character who is far from perfect-and it sends the message that flirting with someone does NOT mean that you deserve to be raped. And I applaud the fact that this film doesn't take the extreme view (hello Lifetime channel) that all men are pigs who either enjoy victimizing women or don't see anything REALLY wrong with doing so. On the contrary, this film has many likeable male characters (even one who helps the victim with her case, despite the fact that one of his friends raped her). Though it's not perfect, there are many redeeming qualities to this ground breaking film."

An Unforgettable Learning Experience

David Anderson | St. Cloud, MN | 03/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jodie Foster and Kelly McGillis star in the unforgettable 1988 film "The Accused". Its plot of a young woman, Sarah, getting raped and struggling to get past it is emotional through every second. Its hardhitting scenes, namely the rape scene, hold enough power to hit audiences' hearts like nothing else. Such events express truth in the court system about rape cases. It teaches audiences that it's difficult to convict rapists, even with a lot of evidence. The emotional stance of the film is true. The trauma and fears during and after is expressed to the fullest. Every struggle keeps audiences interested in every event, leading to a surprising conclusion. Its certain graphic scenes were necessary to film to show the issue's depth. The details prove that the writers researched rape to its fullest, which deserves them tremendous respect.Jodie Foster's Oscar winning role (Best Actress) as Sarah is one of her career bests. She performs with every drop of heart and soul that adds to the film's powerful message. Kelly McGillis's role as Sarah's determined lawyer is wonderful. However, she was wrongfully overlooked by the Oscars for Best Actress. As a real-life rape victim, she used her own life experiences as influence for her performance quality. It resulted highly powerful. All other actors, major or minor, also performed their roles wonderfully."The Accused" is a great film for everyone to watch. This is sure to touch many viewers for a long time. Afterwards, keep the film playing for a few more seconds after it ends. The rape statistics shown are interesting, yet shocking."

A Star is Born

Movie Mania | Southern Calfornia | 11/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jodie Foster became an actress to watch with this movie. This movie is definitely influenced by early Law & Order. First a movie about a crime, then a movie about society's responsibility in the crime.

Jodie Foster is a fiery independent woman who goes to a local bar after a fight with her boyfriend. She has mischief on her mind but when a group of frat boys decide they will not take no for an answer, they rape her on the pinball machine.

She then faces further humiliation of the police and the degradation of trial where she, the victim, is put on trial. After the perpetrators are acquitted, the prosecutor (Kelly McGillis) puts the spectators on trial. This movie says that not only are the people who commit the crime responsible but those who stand by and encourage it to happen.

Tom Topor wrote the outstanding screenplay. He also wrote the play and screen adaptation of Nuts, another great courtroom drama. His heroine is not a clean cut responsible person but a flawed woman trying to make a living and a life. This is more realistic than other films that would have a perfect Sarah.

Jodie Foster gives a well deserved Oscar winning performance. This was her coming out party. She was no longer a child star or a sensation. Kelly McGillis gives her best performance of her career. She also should have been nominated but Foster overshadowed her.
"

When no means no.

ADRIENNE MILLER | TENNESSEE | 04/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Accused is a excellent movie about how a woman is treated after being raped. Kelly McGillis and Jodie Foster make a great team. Foster plays a gang-raped survivor looking for justice in hyprocritical world where men are not held responsible for their actions. Foster received a well-deserved Oscar as her fearless performance of Sarah. There is a graphic rape scene towards the closing of the film that is to be expected since the main theme of this film is about the outcomes of a terrible and vicious rape. Unfortanely, females are still considered "damaged goods" when something this hineous occurs. McGillis's character seeks justice from the men who raped her in a downtown bar and even goes after the men who watched and cheered on the rape and did nothing to stop it. A powerful and superb film all around. This film will force you to see the truth and make you want to change the legal system. Not recommend for younger viewers."