IMDb > The Accused (1988)
The Accused
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The Accused (1988) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   10,138 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 66% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Jonathan Kaplan
Writer:
Tom Topor (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Accused on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
14 October 1988 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Thriller more
Tagline:
The first scream was for help. The second is for justice.
Plot:
A rape victim, enraged at the light sentence her attackers received on account that she was of "questionable character" goads a female prosecutor to charge the men who literally cheered the attack on. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 4 wins & 3 nominations more
User Comments:
Not that much of a movie... but Foster's performance wins it all. more (75 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Kelly McGillis ... Kathryn Murphy

Jodie Foster ... Sarah Tobias
Bernie Coulson ... Ken Joyce

Leo Rossi ... Cliff 'Scorpion' Albrect
Ann Hearn ... Sally Fraser

Carmen Argenziano ... D.A. Paul Rudolph

Steve Antin ... Bob Joiner

Tom O'Brien ... Larry

Peter Van Norden ... Attorney Paulsen
Terry David Mulligan ... Lieutenant Duncan
Woody Brown ... Danny

Scott Paulin ... Attorney Wainwright
Kim Kondrashoff ... Kurt
Stephen E. Miller ... Polito
Tom Heaton ... Bartender Jesse
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Appel à la justice (Canada: French title)
Reckless Endangerment (USA) (working title)
more
Runtime:
111 min
Country:
USA | Canada
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Brian De Palma was originally assigned to direct the movie. more
Goofs:
Miscellaneous: In both scenes when characters are playing the pinball machine we can hear the ball rolling around, scoring points and making the usual pinball machine noises but the score on the machine never changes. more
Quotes:
Kathryn Murphy: This is what the jury is going to see. And they are going to see the girl too and you can't tell it from these. But she's tiny. She's the most defenceless looking thing you you ever saw. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Jeopardy!: (#26.27)" (2009) more
Soundtrack:
Love In Return more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
12 out of 17 people found the following comment useful.
Not that much of a movie... but Foster's performance wins it all., 28 March 2006
7/10
Author: shanfloyd from India

Perfectly knowing that a lot of people would get inspired, personally relate or cite examples from this film, there is no reason to deny that except for the rape victim Sarah Tobias, all the other main characters, even attorney Kathryn Murphy, are written blatantly as stereotypical as they can be. Same can be said about the atmosphere, circumstances and the participators of the incident. The screenwriters have played only one masterstroke by showing the whole rape incident much later in a flashback, which perhaps helps us to relate better to the victim's emotions.

However predictable and blunt the film appears in its formation, it delivers it message right with the help of the outstanding (and Oscar-winning) performance of Jodie Foster. She just plays her part with so much passion that sometimes it would seem that she really IS the victim. I wonder how she could get such a driving force for her role which is so powerful and vengeful, yet so helpless and fragile. It is the performance of her career, Clarice Sterling doesn't even come in comparison. Her job in this film should be treated as educational material.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (75 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Accused (1988)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Rape + the way that you dress. Does it have an effect? b73142
The Actual Rape Story.... Pinky1313
Did anyone have to stop watching? jwjr33
Jody Foster lfdow
What is the matter with people?? astark_14
Online? cheerchick0049
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