merklekranz
This is the case of a script that unfortunately leads to an "unbelievable" conclusion. Getting there is not much fun either, as the film plays like a minimal information puzzle. There are zero sympathetic characters, especially the unbearably wimpy husband. Since we never see the rape, which is motivation for the entire contrived plot, our housewife's revenge plan really is trivialized right from the git-go. The rapist himself is never even shown, until the moment of his demise. The entire production hinges on improbable events that simply cannot be swallowed as fact. So, what you have is a tedious build up to a conclusion that is not believable, and a movie that is not recommended. - MERK
howie73
Although this feels like a low-budget TV movie that you might find on a cable channel late at night, it is far more compelling and realistic than its adherence to that much maligned formula suggests. In fact, it is everything a TV movie is not: gritty, urban, slow-paced but suspenseful, engrossing yet unsentimental.The actors, mostly unknowns, do a fine job, especially Stephanie Rascoe as the misunderstood housewife heroine who takes the law and her own identity into places she never thought possible.Interstingly enough, the most compelling aspect of the film is the theme of identity. As a housewives, Rascoe's character is often seen engulfed by domestic chores, unable to get over her brutal attack. However, as her assumed identity, she becomes somebody else - a modern day femme fatale type that sits uneasily with the portrayal of simmering domestic inertia previously shown in the film. The ending is still shocking today and one of the most dramatic films you are likely to see. A minor gem.
budikavlan
This film's extremely low budget is evident onscreen, from the home-movie look of some scenes to the obvious inexperience of most of the cast. For what it's worth, however, auteur Andy Anderson did a lot with what little he had. Lead actress Stephanie Rascoe gives a strong performance; it comes as something of a surprise as one watches because she's not a typical movie star. She seems more like someone you'd meet at a PTA meeting, so it's that much more dramatic to see her enduring a brutal rape and then constructing a new identity in order to exact revenge. The rest of the cast is mostly one-timers and unknowns, though Steve Fromholtz had some renown as a folk singer and Laura (Lauren) Lane later became famous on "Hunter" and "The Nanny." It's the plot that's most interesting here, though it should be noted that it's much more difficult to assume a false identity nowadays, at least partially because of films like this one.
jmatrixrenegade
This movie concerns a rape victim, who is having a hard time getting over her trauma, as well as realizing how victims of rape are harmed two-fold -- by the act itself and by public reaction afterwards. She sees a report on television on how some people change their identities, which catches her eyes for a few reasons, reasons we will fully learn about at the end of the film, though it becomes pretty clear about half way through.The film includes a few um hammy touches, including that kind of annoying dramatic music, but is an excellent character study with a twist. Not only does it do a good job showing the trauma of victims, even long after the crime, but it throws in themes of identity as well. The movie does not really have many surprises, though the ending is not as clear cut as a standard film of this type tends to be, but it was a joy (if I might use the word in this context) to watch for the performances. Definitely a good different little film to rent -- I just saw it for the second time, and yet again saw why I liked it so much the first time around.
AD
