Betrayal of Trust

When I saw this on Lifetime TV, I was astonished. I read the story in a magazine, and only remembered that a few minutes into the movie. Two great stars performed well in their roles, but I was a little upset to find Judd Hirsch cast (again) as a rapist. Judith Light's character seemed a little too trusting, but I still believed in the fight she led.

Case histories like this are outrageously common, and only on rare occasions they come out into the light to reveal truths that no one wants to have anything to do with. In this case it is actually of universal interest, since it deals with the very fundamentals of the ethics of healing. Barbara Noël, a distinguished and well established, lovely singer in choice night clubs of Chicago came under psychiatric treatment because of fallacies in her performance, and that psychiatrist used her weakness under the influence of psychiatric drugs to violate her, and it went on for years, until she finally woke up. The major problem with all cases of rape is that no one is willing to believe you, since it is so extremely abnormal. In this case, gradually some other patients turn up with the same story under the same doctor, and the case develops. He is a world famous authority on psychiatry, renowned and respected all over the world, so Barbara Noël's case against him as one lonely woman known to have been an alcoholic against a world celebrity couldn't be more difficult. Judith Light makes a great performance in perhaps her life's greatest role, and she is perfectly convincing all the way, sometimes reminding of Barbara Stanwyck. Judd Hirsch as the doctor is more like Ben Gazzara, who could also excel in some very nasty roles. The main and vitally important issue is the fact of a doctor misusing his responsibility and sacred duty as a doctor to instead violate his patients and make them addicts under his abuse instead of helping and curing them.

BETRAYAL OF TRUST TV Movie (1994)

WARNING: Depictions of Sexual Assault (see below)

BASIC PLOT: Barbara Noël, (Judith Light) regains consciousness, in the middle of a sodium amytal "therapy session", to find her therapist raping her. She goes immediately to the hospital, but no one believes her. This story is not only her fight to bring her psychiatrist's actions to light, but to overcome her original problems that brought her to a psychiatrist in the first place.

WHAT WORKS: *Judith Light is outstanding as Barbara Noël, a troubled woman no one wants to help or believe. She gives the character depth, by showing both Barbara Noël's frailty, and her determination to overcome the abuse she has suffered.

*Betty Buckley plays Barbara's new psychiatrist, Dr. Jan Galanti. She gives a first rate portrayal of a professional who helps Barbara overcome her instinctive distrust of all psychiatrists, and guides Barbara to her own inner strength.

*Judd Hirsch is outstanding as Dr. Jules Masserman, a world renowned psychiatrist, who is hiding evil behind his professional face. This role would be hard for any actor, but it's more difficult for one with such a recognized 'good guy' image. I found myself loathing Dr. Masserman; that's a win for nm0002139Judd Hirsch. It means he's completely overcome his stereotype of 'Alex Reiger', from the TV show Taxi (1978)

WHAT DOESN'T WORK: *I think this is a first, I have nothing negative to say about this movie. The pacing, the writing, the acting, are all first rate. It is a made-for-tv movie, so you have to take those limitations into consideration. But overall, everything works.

TO RECOMMEND, OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IS THE QUESTION: *This is an excellent made-for-tv movie. The subject matter is difficult, but it is handled here with courage, and respect. I'm so glad this was co-written by Barbara Noel. It is not exploitative of the women who endured Dr. Masserman's abuse, and could be a catalyst for other victims of sexual assault, to get the help they need.

CLOSING NOTES: *I abhor trigger warnings, I think woke is a virus. BUT, I think warnings for animal violence and sexual assault are needed. We readily accept these things too easily, without a thought for how the 433,648 people who are sexually assaulted every year might react. I'm not talking censorship; in this movie, the rape is not wanton violence, for violence sake. It is an unfortunate reality many people share. But warning a victim who has experienced this type of violence, before they watch, is not unreasonable. Help is available: National Sexual Assault Hotline, Available 24 hours Learn more 1- 800- 656- 4673

*This is a Made-For-TV movie, please keep that in mind before you watch\rate it. TV movies have a much lower budget, and so your expectations should be adjusted.

*I have no connection to the film, or production in ANY way. I am just an honest viewer, who wishes for more straight forward reviews. Hope I helped you out.