Eye for an Eye (1996)

After her daughter Julie is brutally raped and murdered, Karen McCann is turned down by the LAPD after she requests they keep suspect Robert Doob in jail for good instead of paroling him. ... See full summary »

Director:

John Schlesinger

Writers:

Erika Holzer (novel), Amanda Silver (screenplay),

Stars:

Sally Field, Ed Harris, Olivia Burnette

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sally Field	...	Karen McCann
Ed Harris	...	Mack McCann
Olivia Burnette	...	Julie McCann
Alexandra Kyle	...	Megan McCann
Kiefer Sutherland	...	Robert Doob
Joe Mantegna	...	Det. Sgt. Denillo
Beverly D'Angelo	...	Dolly Green
Darrell Larson	...	Peter Green
Charlayne Woodard	...	Angel Kosinsky
Philip Baker Hall	...	Sidney Hughes
Keith David	...	Martin
Wanda Acuna	...	Hispanic Housewife
Geoffrey Rivas	...	Hispanic Housewife's Husband
Armin Shimerman	...	Judge Arthur Younger
Natalija Nogulich	...	Susan Juke (as Natalia Nogulich)

Storyline

After her daughter Julie is brutally raped and murdered, Karen McCann is turned down by the LAPD after she requests they keep suspect Robert Doob in jail for good instead of paroling him. Nevertheless, the LAPD and the courts do decide to parole him and Karen turns to a group of hit man trainers for help. They teach her how to manage a gun, etc. Eventually, Karen's husband, Mack, finds out and tries to stop her. Karen backs off. Robert Doob tracks Karen down at the McCaan home and breaks in, hoping to kill her.

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Plot Keywords:

rape | support group | murder | murderer | california | 

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Taglines:

What do you do when justice fails?

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and disturbing violence which includes rape

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French Spanish Korean

Release Date:

12 January 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ojo por ojo

Filming Locations:

749 E. Temple Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$53,146,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Karen follows Robert making his grocery delivery, a man is seen in a telephone booth not speaking in English. This man is playfully swearing in Korean on the phone.

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Goofs

In the opening bathroom scene, reflected in the convex mirror that Karen bumps.

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Quotes

Robert Doob: [when leaving courtroom, to Karen] S-s-s-sorry.

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Connections

Features Star Trek: Arena (1967)

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Soundtracks

"Burunbanga"
By Rafael Oscar Boufartique
Performed by Celia Cruz
Courtesy of Vaya Records - Sonido Inc.

User Reviews

Sometimes you just have to do things yourself

Karen is a mother who has just lost her daughter to a brutal rape by a man, Robert Doob. When the court lacks of evidence that he did it, he goes free. But Karen isn't done with him yet; she will do whatever she can in her power 'til there is justice for her daughter and another victim of his.

I loved "Eye for an Eye", it's a terrific movie that is very well acted. I know it kind of looks like a movie for Lifetime or U.S.A., but nevertheless it's a great movie that should really be given a chance. I cried during this movie, during the scene where Karen is on the phone with her daughter, Julie while she is being raped by Robert. All she can hear is her daughter's screams, cries for help, and her last scream. Nobody on the street will help this poor woman who is screaming for the police to get to her house. I just can't imagine that ever happening, when I saw this movie with my mom, she held me close and started crying as well. Nobody wants that feeling and Sally did a great job on showing the fear in her eyes and the total feeling of no hope or being helpless.

Yes, it's a little over done and dramatic, but it's very real and I felt that it captured what every person has felt they wanted: justice for victims. How do you live when a person you loved so much is murdered and the person that did it got off because they had bad parents? Or they had a bad incident or just feels insane for a few minutes? How crazy is it? I think that's what got me close to the film, though I have not had a close family member murdered, I think we can understand the pain and confusion these people go through in the movie. I loved Karen's line to Mack "Do you believe in the death penalty?", he says "For that guy, I do" referring to Robert and Karen looks at him and asks "Why? Because it's just or you want revenge?". Despite it being a trick question without a satisfying answer, I think we have all felt that way.

Keifer Sutherland, man! I love this guy, he is one my favorite actors, because he is a methodist and is not afraid of taking chances. He as Robert Doob, I didn't want to believe it was him because he is so brutally convincing as this vicious and evil character that will brutally rape women and young girls. That scene where he is with Karen's little daughter, Megan, in the playhouse, was so incredibly suspenseful and I couldn't breath. Keifer did do great, just too great that scarred me. Ed Harris did great as well as Mack, Karen's husband. He tries so hard to put the family back together after the shattering aftermath of Julie's death and wishes Karen would come back to herself with Megan.

"Eye for an Eye" is a great movie that should be given a chance. The rape scenes are very disturbing, I warn you. You might need a strong stomach, especially for the scene I described with Karen on the phone with her daughter. The ending is a little short and felt rushed, but I would always recommend this for a watch.

8/10