The Assault (2014)

Sam Gleason lives in a town where high school football is the backbone of the community. When she accuses a member of the team of committing heinous acts against her on a night she can't even remember, will anyone believe her?

Director:

Jason Winn

Writer:

Jennifer Maisel

Stars:

Gary Weeks, Khandi Alexander, Erin Cole

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gary Weeks	...	Dan Gleason
Khandi Alexander	...	Detective Jodi Miller
Erin Cole	...	Vivian
Malik Yoba	...	Coach Tim Miller
Amy Bruckner	...	Frankie
Makenzie Vega	...	Sam Gleason
Pierson Fode	...	Reed
Michael Cognata	...	Jordan
Christopher Foley	...	Christopher Burch (as Cristopher Knight Roberts)
Brett Wyman	...	Lee
Kayla Harrity	...	Izzie
Maya Morales	...	Grace
Kaz Gamble	...	DJ Howlin' Hank Jones
William Dickerson	...	Football Announcer
Neal Gyles	...	Oren

Storyline

After a cheerleader is sexually assaulted by the high school football team, she must overcome her shame and use the evidence gathered from the subsequent social media firestorm to piece together the night that she can't remember in her fight for justice. Based on the true story of the Steubenville, Ohio rape case.

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Plot Keywords:

gang rape | football team | memory loss | drinking | friendship | 

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Taglines:

A terrible crime. A town divided. A search for justice.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Case Against Sam

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Amy Bruckner's first acting role since Nancy Drew (2007)

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Soundtracks

Morgan Storm
Performed by Latterday Saints
Written by Andreas Burgos, William Dickerson, Jason Fraina and Liam McKiernan

User Reviews

Typical and Topical TV Movie

Dressed as a cheerleader, an attractive young woman walks tearfully onto a high school football field and sets herself on fire. Fortunately, she survives with only minor arm burns, thanks to handsome football player Pierson Fode (as Reed Johnson). In the hospital, we discover more about our heroine - specifically, cute 17-year-old Makenzie Vega (as Samantha "Sam" Gleason) reports being sexually assaulted by a football player. Later, "The Assault" allegedly involves more players. Kind and exceptionally sympathetic police detective Khandi Alexander (as Jodi Miller) is assigned the case. She views Ms. Vega as a brave young accuser, but realistically notes a prosecution will be difficult as Vega was drunk and doesn't recall the incident...

If it were any more predictable, a video of the gang-rape would turn up and prove the victim's case; it's also possible a flashback could be employed. Writer Jennifer Maisel makes Vega more interesting with single father Gary Weeks (as Dan) and director Jason Winn adds hints that her childhood friend Amy Bruckner (as Frankie) may want a same-sex relationship - but neither really lifts the drama above ordinary. Malik Yoba (as Tim Miller) plays the conflicted coach and Christopher Foley aka Cristopher Knight Roberts (as Christopher "Chris" Burch) tackles the main villain role well; both have effective scenes with Ms. Alexander. Photographer Brian Crane favors intimate over-the-head-and-shoulder scenes and John Stimpson edits them nicely.

***** The Assault (9/20/14) Jason Winn ~ Makenzie Vega, Khandi Alexander, Gary Weeks, Christopher Foley