Unforgivable (1996)

A man who batters women, after nearly killing his girlfriend in a violent rage, finds himself facing his own demons when he is forced to join an innovative group therapy program for abusive men.

Director:

Graeme Campbell

Writers:

Adam Rodman (story) (as A.R. Simoun), Adam Rodman (teleplay) (as A.R. Simoun)

Stars:

John Ritter, Harley Jane Kozak, Kevin Dunn

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Ritter	...	Paul Hegstrom
Harley Jane Kozak	...	Judy Hegstrom
Kevin Dunn	...	Milton 'Milt' Stella
Susan Gibney	...	Beth French
Gina Philips	...	Tammy (as Gina Phillips)
Mariangela Pino	...	Helen Jessup, M.D.
Aaron Leigh	...	Jeff Hegstrom
Elisabeth Lund	...	Heidi Hegstrom
James McDaniel	...	Spider
Steven Anderson	...	Doctor
Douglas Caputo	...	Steve (as Doug Caputo)
Michael Flynn	...	Ben Corbin
Carmen Fournier	...	Patrolman #2
Frank Gerrish	...	Dave
Curley Green	...	Group Member #1

Storyline

John Ritter plays a family man who puts his wife through domestic violence and his children through emotional torture. After leaving his family and almost killing his new girlfriend in one of his rages, he is ordered to seek professional help through an innovative therapy program or go to jail.

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Plot Keywords:

domestic violence | automobile salesman | fear | group therapy | marital abuse | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 April 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Asyghoriti orgi

Company Credits

Production Co:

Brayton-Carlucci Productions, Grossbart Barnett Productions, Hamdon Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Paul Hegstrom: Jeff, I never meant to hurt you.
Jeff Hegstrom: No! You meant to hurt mom!

User Reviews

Excellent portrayal of a real life batterer

A good film about an ugly subject: male-on-female domestic violence.

Here's some valuable back-story (not a spoiler): I've known Paul Hegstrom and his wife personally. According to them the film is an accurate portrayal of what an incredibly messed up man Paul Hegstrom was. Paul no longer *physically* beats his wife. However there are plenty of ways the physically abusive can continue the cycle of abuse without raising a hand. Anger issues and deep seated insecurities can be manifested in many ways than physically.

Another reviewer said, "I believe it was very courageous for the real life Paul Hegstrom to put himself out there and tell the world what he'd done. We all make mistakes, not many of us can admit it." Big assumption there. Paul Hegstrom has made a lot of money by promoting through his books and "counseling ministry" the stereotype that men are abusive and women are victims and that the inverse is rarely ever true; and where it is true the man must have done something to deserve it.

Take what good you can from this film, but don't presume that the central figure on which the film is based is a role model of genuine redemption. Unfortunately there are many physically abusive men (and although Hegstrom would deny it, women too) who overcome their physical abusiveness only to continue being equally abusive emotionally and psychologically. ALL forms of abuse are wrong and, unfortunately, this film may only perpetuate the stereotype that physical abuse is more evil than other abuses, and that only men are responsible for abuse.