When She Says No (1984) (TV)

Director:

Paul Aaron

Writer:

Deena Goldstone (writer)

Release Date:

30 January 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Rape

Cast

Kathleen Quinlan	...	Rose Michaels
Jeffrey DeMunn	...	Brian Garvey
George Dzundza	...	Paul Fellows
David Huffman	...	Carl Jerome
Kenneth McMillan	...	Mr. Michaels
Rip Torn	...	Stuart Blankfort
Jane Alexander	...	Nora Strangis
Isabell O'Connor	...	Susan Munson (as Isabell Monk)
Jack Rader	...	Al Strangis
Kathy Christopher	...	Ruth Garvey
John Callahan	...	Peter Wheaton
Richard Jamison	...	Det. Lobell
Michael K. Osborn	...	Thomas Walters
Fred Greenblatt	...	Richard Deeks
Ralph Jorba	...	Reuben Ellis

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16

Company:

I & C Productions

Not so much a film about rape as it is a portrait of a woman who learns the hard way to stand up for herself

Although this women's empowerment TV-film was written by a woman, it examines how a flirtatious night between one woman and three men goes awry quite powerfully, and both sides are equally represented(however, the filmmakers clearly do want the viewer on the girl's side). A college professor says three of her colleagues raped her in a hotel room while away at a seminar, but the men in her life try talking her out of pressing charges. Kathleen Quinlan is excellent as the naive, sexually repressed teacher, and the director doesn't tip-toe around the sordid issues involved. But for those wanting a courtroom drama with a satisfying wrap-up, forget it. The movie, by ending its third act with a question mark, asks the viewer to fill in the blanks; but since most TV audiences want genuine conclusions(with answers spelled out for them), this is bound to disappoint a lot of people. The screenwriter isn't interested in revenge or retribution, the movie isn't about that anyway. It's about a woman who believes it's her job to wait on men, and how being overly obedient can be misunderstood. It's also about how men and women look at sex quite differently, especially when there's more than one man involved. The men felt the woman was seducing them--she felt a little drunk and flirtatious. They felt she initiated the situation--she says she was enjoying the flattery. But does she protest enough when the time is right? The movie is brave enough to ask the question and then NOT give us a concrete answer. Some may feel this is a cop-out; I felt it was thought-provoking and given a solid presentation.