Jodie Foster deservedly won an Oscar for her standout performance in this brutal drama about a rape victim's battle for justice
Jodie Foster deservedly won an Oscar for her standout performance in this brutal drama about a rape victim's battle for justice. Foster is a waitress who is gang-raped in front of a cheering crowd. But when her reputation is tarnished (note the film's clever title), she is betrayed by the system when the perpetrators are let off on reduced charges. However, she fights her corner like an alleycat, forcing her lawyer (Kelly McGillis) to take action by then putting the onlookers on trial. The mix of graphic, unpalatable food for thought and excellent courtroom dramatics proves powerful stuff. It's a controversial courtroom thriller, though: the film's good intentions are fudged by its dodgy approach, particularly the inclusion of the rape scene that adds nothing to the plot.
