Rating: Summary: don't mess with She Review: John Schlesinger's 1996 thriller is a return to form after the disappointments of The Innocent and Cold Comfort Farm. This film received a lot of political flak for being reactionary when it was released and Leonard Maltin dubs it Death Wish in drag, but there's no denying that it is superbly directed. Based on the novel by Erika Holzer, it stars Sally Field as Karen McCann, whose daughter is raped and murdered. What makes it so interesting is the plot developments and the detail of the screenplay. Schlesinger is not afraid to make the rape scene, and a subsequent assault, graphic. They need to be to justify the anguish of the reactors. When Field's daughter is attacked, she is on a mobile call with Field who is caught in a traffic jam, and Schlesinger feeds Field's response by having her run through the cars, pleading with strangers for help, since she wants to keep her line with her daughter and cannot ring the police. He even has the courage to play with a mid-film expectation of Field being attacked and then letting her smile about the misunderstanding. Field is ideally cast and she gets to non-react to a lesbian announcement. Her supporting cast are equally as good with strong work from Ed Harris as her husband, Philip Baker Hall as a vigilante and Charlayne Woodard as an FBI agent. Joe Mantegna doesn't quite make his police detective believable but most surprisingly effective is Keifer Sutherland as the rapist.
Rating: Summary: TURN ABOUT IS FAIR PLAY Review: Justice? Revenge? It's really not that big an issue. Thanks to a gruesomely powerful turn by Kiefer Sutherland as a killer/rapist, the audience cannot help but stand with Sally Field in her quest for justice. Whether this justice comes through our legal system (which is never truly just), or whether it comes at her hands, Kiefer is definitely not an addition to the social world. Director John Schlesinger reinforces this sociopathic person by showing Kiefer pour hot coffee on a stray dog; drive like he owned the road; sneers at Sally and Ed in the courtroom, knowing he will get off. Sally Field is one of those actresses many people find obnoxious, mainly because of her infamous "You really like me" speech at the Oscars. One cannot deny however her ferocity and dedication in this role. Sutherland of course is perfect, and there's some good support from Joe Mantegna and Beverly D'Angelo. Ed Harris' performance isn't as emotional as I would have liked, but one can understand his understated delivery. The movie is another DEATH WISH, but it packs a powerful wallop and the rape scenes are truly despicable.
Rating: Summary: TURN ABOUT IS FAIR PLAY Review: Justice? Revenge? It's really not that big an issue. Thanks to a gruesomely powerful turn by Kiefer Sutherland as a killer/rapist, the audience cannot help but stand with Sally Field in her quest for justice. Whether this justice comes through our legal system (which is never truly just), or whether it comes at her hands, Kiefer is definitely not an addition to the social world. Director John Schlesinger reinforces this sociopathic person by showing Kiefer pour hot coffee on a stray dog; drive like he owned the road; sneers at Sally and Ed in the courtroom, knowing he will get off. Sally Field is one of those actresses many people find obnoxious, mainly because of her infamous "You really like me" speech at the Oscars. One cannot deny however her ferocity and dedication in this role. Sutherland of course is perfect, and there's some good support from Joe Mantegna and Beverly D'Angelo. Ed Harris' performance isn't as emotional as I would have liked, but one can understand his understated delivery. The movie is another DEATH WISH, but it packs a powerful wallop and the rape scenes are truly despicable.
Rating: Summary: hard to chew Review: Sally Field and Ed Harris' daughter is brutally murdered and raped by Kiefer Sutherland(evil) but they dont have a case on him and they let him go and he comes after Sally..the attack scenes are hard to chew..I mean really..but it runs out of steam and we cant truly feel what Field is feeling
Rating: Summary: Justice or Revenge Review: Sally Field plays a mother whose daughter was raped and murdered by a repeat offender played by Keifer Sutherland. She seeks justice through the courts but is devastated and angered that her daughter's killer is scot-free. She goes to a support group for families who lost loved ones. But some members of the group are seeking revenge for those that have killed their loved ones and she decides that vengeance is the way to go. Her daughter's murderer walks the streets while she is in a state of mental anguish and distress. The family is nearly falling apart. What would you do if a criminal walked free for murdering your child? Would you seek revenge or rely on the justice system? That is what the movie questions.
Rating: Summary: Justice or Revenge Review: Sally Field plays a mother whose daughter was raped and murdered by a repeat offender played by Keifer Sutherland. She seeks justice through the courts but is devastated and angered that her daughter's killer is scot-free. She goes to a support group for families who lost loved ones. But some members of the group are seeking revenge for those that have killed their loved ones and she decides that vengeance is the way to go. Her daughter's murderer walks the streets while she is in a state of mental anguish and distress. The family is nearly falling apart. What would you do if a criminal walked free for murdering your child? Would you seek revenge or rely on the justice system? That is what the movie questions.
Rating: Summary: Great Performances! Good Script! Review: Should a man be allowed to get away with rape and murder? What happens when a mother's fury is merged with her helplessness? The outcome is: Eye for an Eye. Sally Field does act well but then again she was way too good in Forrest Gump according to me. Ed Harris is nothing but a puppet in the movie - rather more like just there hanging around. So, if the characters didn't do much for me then what affected me so much in the movie?It was the script that got to me. The frustration of a mother whose daughter is brutally raped and mercilessly slaughtered was what moved me. The not giving up soon attitude and wanting justice when all hope is lost - the idea of standing through it all, and hitting back makes this movie truly amazing!
Rating: Summary: terrible movie Review: Terrible movie in which Sally Field plays some kind of vigilant who wants to unjustly kill a man. Shameful.
Rating: Summary: A Top-Notch Thriller Review: The casting in this film in spectacular. The pacing is excellent. The direction is masterful. What more could you ask for in a dramatic thriller? Sally Field is ideal for the role of a mother who's seventeen-year-old daughter is brutally raped and murdered. Ed Harris plays her supportive husband in an average role for him, but he still gets the point across. And Keifer Sutherland - well, nobody can play a vicious scumbag more brilliantly than Sutherland. However, I have a word to the wise: This film is not for the queasy. The rape scenes are harsh and brutal and, sometimes, you have to wonder why Sutherland would take such an awful role. However, as an audience member watching the film, I could not pick out a better actor I would rather hate than Keifer Sutherland. And the hatred is strong for him in this film. Although 'Eye For An Eye' is not mysterious in any way and has hardly any made-you-jump thrills, it's a thriller just the same. Most of this is brought about masterfully by the remarkable acting, especially that of Field and Sutherland. I can't say that I'm a big fan of Sally Field. However, she's perfect in this movie. An agonized mother, out to seek revenge. It's a typical story which is brought over-the-top by a great director and a masterful Academy Award Winning actress. The emotional tension brought to the screen kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time through. Another special trait about 'Eye For An Eye' is that it never gets old. The tension is always there. No matter how many times you've watched it. Overall, this thriller is the very definition of what a top-notch thriller is about. The acting really brought it to life, and that's what's so enjoyable. I'd have to give Sally 5 stars on this one, as well as Keifer, and Ed Harris 3 stars for being there as a solid supporting actor. The movie itself gets 4, not for originality, but for the story that was immediately brought to life by the actors and actresses in it.
Rating: Summary: Well acted, badly written Review: This by-the-numbers thriller spends so much of its 101 minutes making you hate Sutherland's character that you can almost forgive Sally Field's climactic rampage. But I guess that's the idea - if you want to turn a serious issue into cheap entertainment, then moral ambiguity is best left at the door. Though the opening is brilliant, and Field's performance is flawless, it's the morally simplistic storytelling which really grates. For a film which more articulately explores the rage induced by losing a child to crime, check out Sean Penn's infinitely superior "The Crossing Guard".
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