Indefensible: The Truth About Edward Brannigan (1997 TV Movie) User Reviews

Brian Dennehy....

[MarieGabrielle · 8/10 · 28 December 2005]

we need more movies for TV directed by you; Since TV encompasses only certain subjects, we need a unique director, with actual talent and acting experience!.

While the subject matter of this film could be considered redundant (No more Kobe Bryant stories....please...); Dennehy manages to piece the film together from the victim's viewpoint as well; and this makes ALL the difference.

Alice Krige plays the victim, and this was based on a true story; I find these movies a more artful way to catch up on news; and at least the stories are fact-based. You also can avoid watching mindless newscasters like Tucker Carlson or other NBC "talking heads" with no talent, spewing the news headlines with their bought and paid-for bias. I digress, however; next time you are in the mood for true crime; try LMN or a Lifetime movie, instead of local (yawn) news.

Ms. Krige is excellent, not over the top; and a sympathetic character.In one scene, toward the end, Dennehy has an excellent scene, wherein he watches the tape of her saying "I was terrified...."; as he watches this over and over, he suddenly realizes that his perspective is COMPLETELY different from the woman's; you can read this in his face, and that is the sign of a real actor; they don't need props, costumes, or reality TV shows. They convey emotion through film.

Ambiguous

[nicholas.rhodes · 8/10 · 20 April 2006]

I am a great Brian Dennehy fan and have most of his telefilms on DVD !! This was a most enjoyable film if somewhat ambiguous, I was not convinced that he actually raped the lady, I got the impression she was leading him on by undressing herself and consenting to what appeared to be the beginning of a sexual relation. Perhaps this ambiguity was wanted by the film's director, anyway, I found myself wondering through most of the film whether he was really a rapist or not !! The ambiguous ending also confirms the ambiguity of the film - he is acquitted but is not sure if he he didn't go a bit too far with his sexual advances. One must assume that all this ambiguity was done on purpose to confuse the spectator's mind instead of having a clear cut black and white rape story where the spectator is just waiting for the villain to get his just desserts !

Lori Ann Triolo Offers An Inspiring Performance In A Mediocre Film

[bob wolf · 19 August 2000]

Brian Dennehy has proven himself a capable director who knows how to build suspense better than most directors working today. Shadow Of A Doubt and Indefensible: The Truth About Edward Brannigan are perfect examples of that.

A gruff, commanding attorney, Edward Brannigan(Dennehy) is forced to defend himself against a charge of rape after an awkward dinner meeting with associate, Rebecca Daly(Krige). The charge begins to take a toll on Brannigan and Daly's circle of friends who are forced to take a side.

The film uses every trick in the book to sway the audience back and forth in a struggle of truths. Is Brannigan a slimy, misogynist who can't comprehend that `no' means `no' or is Daly a neurotic, opportunist looking to bring down a legendary attorney? The suspense continues to build at a breakneck pace and even when things begin to unravel, you find yourself questioning things even more.

The talented ensemble of actors include; Lynn Redgrave, Reed Diamond, Benjamin Ratner and, last but not least, Lori Ann Triolo. The young, up and coming actress, absolutely steals the picture out from under her more famous castmates. Triolo, is like a breath of fresh air in a sometimes smoggy story. I never for once doubted her as a sexually charged dynamo, extremely intelligent lawyer and concerned friend who is forced to chose between colleagues and lovers. Rarely, am I awestruck by a performance the way I was with Triolo's. She owns the camera the same way Bette Davis did in her prime.

The subject matter of Indefensible: The Truth About Edward Brannigan might not appeal to most, especially since the subject seems to take a backseat to various plot devices. The one thing you can rely on is Lori Triolo and her brilliant performance. Check it out!

Very memorable and haunting, with excellent performance by Dennehy

[baweinberg · 9/10 · 8 March 2022]

I saw this movie when it came out (late 90s). It is a very powerful portrayal of a wealthy man who doesn't understand that "no means no," and it unravels more from the rapist's perspective (which is unusual!). Dennehy played the role with great nuance, and the viewer sees that his character really doesn't understand what he did but he slowly starts to question his behavior just a bit. I don't think his character ever really gets that what he did was rape, even at the end, but that is what makes the movie even more realistic. (Think Kobe Bryant for example - some rapists just won't comprehend what they did was rape because perhaps the victim kissed them initially or went into a room alone with them. Some men in general think this way). This movie would be pretty relevant today. Very haunting even after seeing it 25 years ago, I still remember it quite well. Men take heed: No means no, consent should not be implied, and consent can be withdrawn any time during an encounter.

A crime remaining a fact even when it can't be proved.

[clanciai · 9/10 · 4 May 2023]

Many questions and few answers here, the main problem being the fact of an actual rape with no evidence to prove it. That is unfortunately the case with most rapes: only the victim knows the truth, while the perpetrator just has to deny it. Alice Krige is here the victim, and she is the focus of the drama, completely dominating the whole show, even when she doesn't appear in person. She is a charming guest at a cozy dinner party, in which the host finally finds her too attractive and nice not to do something about her, while he never expected her to react, which she does by pressing charges on him, astounding everyone around and the whole community. It leads to a trial, in which the rapist is acquitted, but the rape remains a fact, and the story continues. His son tries to save the situation, and we never learn about the consequences, but the father and his victims are all given a chance. The other major performance contribution here is the mother, played by Lynn Redgrave, and she actually turns the tables, although she is a loser as well and resigns to the fact. Brian Dennehy is the father and the director and makes an impressive job of it. All the actors are excellent, but you will remember those two women.