Senza difesa

Police try to solve the murder of a businessman. Unknown to them, the man's attorney is implicated and, of course, she wants to keep her involvement secret. This leads to the wrong person being charged, causing the lawyer to go looking for the real culprit. Good mystery with lots of action and tense drama.

This is not a bad little thriller complete with spooky garages and a scary fall down the elevator shaft scene although it's sometimes hard to figure out just who is who. The plot has many murky twists and turns (although I imagine the continuity suffered in being cut for television.) Nor do I understand why our lawyer/lover drives a beat up Karmann-Ghia. But this is obviously one of those films that took handouts from big tobacco. Everybody smokes everywhere. The good guys smoke. The bad guys smoke. The good guys who turn out to be bad guys smoke. The bad guys who turn out to be good guys smoke. The cops smoke. I'm surprised the judge and the jury didn't light up. The whole damn film is one big choking cloud of smelly blue smoke. Because of that I knocked my rating down two points.

The stage curtains open ...

"Defenseless" is typical of early 90's suspense/thriller films which were fairly formulaic with similar piano-tickling soundtracks and plot lines. This movie, starring Barbara Hershey in the lead role, was one of the better ones with solid performances and a story that will keep you invested.

Back in 1991, when this was released, it contained an additional 12 minutes that were crucial to the plot. Today, the DVD release is only 92 minutes as opposed to the original 104 minutes. Unfortunately, there is no way I can recommend you to watch the original version, unless you still have the first VHS copy of the movie and a VCR to watch it on (as I do). There is no uncut version available today on DVD or BluRay. So, if you do watch this movie, keep in mind that you are watching a much watered down version of it, feeling more like a made-for-tv effort, and it won't be that good.

However, if you can see the original uncut version, then I think you would like it - if you are a fan of the suspense/thriller genre of film. The story was credible and the acting good, with a few over-the-top moments from Hershey, but nothing overly distracting or really worth mentioning.

I enjoyed this movie and would recommend it without hesitation. Solid in all areas, a film worth watching and even owning. The uncut/original version that is.

I watched this movie not expecting very much, but was pleasantly surprised at the outcome. Hershey gives her usual competent performance, as a successful lawyer called to defend an old school friend accused of murdering her husband. The plot although very contrived was quite clever with several twists. Overall I thought the film well directed and worth a watch.

Technically well-made but ordinary, unremarkable little mystery thriller. The script tries for ambiguity and succeeds most of the way, but ultimately goes for the predictable resolution. Martin Campbell's direction shows care and knowledge of the genre, but lacks style and seems mostly by-the-numbers. Barbara Hershey, although somewhat aging, still shines, and Walsh, Hurt and the actor who plays the brutal, deranged father offer excellent supporting work. But Sam Shepard just looks bored and disinterested. (**)