The Assault

A cheerleader at a high school in Eastern America reports that she was raped while partying with some football players at the school. Was it a case of kids just being kids while drinking or was a crime committed? And, if so, can it be proven?

"The Assault" (2014) is a Lifetime production inspired by The Steubenville High School rape of 2012 by the Ohio River in eastern Ohio. It mixes "Are You in the House Alone?" (1978) with the theme of football players taking advantage of cheerleaders observed in "The Swinging Cheerleaders" (1974), which is a worthwhile 'B' flick despite the exploitive title.

The milieu is the same as "The Rage: Carrie 2" (1999), just minus the telekinesis. The horror here is more mundane, which makes it more horrifying in a way. Remember, this was based on a real-life story.

The 'Stockman' sequence needed the kinks worked out and there are some contrivances, which compels me to detract points. But, otherwise, this is a well-done high school drama on a TV budget.

The film runs 1 hour, 33 minutes, and was shot in Worcester, Massachusetts, which is a half-hour drive west of Boston. The school is actually Clinton High School in Clinton, which is 10 miles NE of Worcester. There are several nice aerial shots of the area.

GRADE: B-/C+

Dressed as a cheerleader, an attractive young woman walks tearfully onto a high school football field and sets herself on fire. Fortunately, she survives with only minor arm burns, thanks to handsome football player Pierson Fode (as Reed Johnson). In the hospital, we discover more about our heroine - specifically, cute 17-year-old Makenzie Vega (as Samantha "Sam" Gleason) reports being sexually assaulted by a football player. Later, "The Assault" allegedly involves more players. Kind and exceptionally sympathetic police detective Khandi Alexander (as Jodi Miller) is assigned the case. She views Ms. Vega as a brave young accuser, but realistically notes a prosecution will be difficult as Vega was drunk and doesn't recall the incident...

If it were any more predictable, a video of the gang-rape would turn up and prove the victim's case; it's also possible a flashback could be employed. Writer Jennifer Maisel makes Vega more interesting with single father Gary Weeks (as Dan) and director Jason Winn adds hints that her childhood friend Amy Bruckner (as Frankie) may want a same-sex relationship - but neither really lifts the drama above ordinary. Malik Yoba (as Tim Miller) plays the conflicted coach and Christopher Foley aka Cristopher Knight Roberts (as Christopher "Chris" Burch) tackles the main villain role well; both have effective scenes with Ms. Alexander. Photographer Brian Crane favors intimate over-the-head-and-shoulder scenes and John Stimpson edits them nicely.

***** The Assault (9/20/14) Jason Winn ~ Makenzie Vega, Khandi Alexander, Gary Weeks, Christopher Foley

Although I generally do not sympathize with those who get too drunk to remember events, "The Assault" greatly succeeds in driving home the all-too-realistic point that there are individuals who take very unfair advantage of such vulnerabilities, use it for personal gain while going way out of line, and then scapegoat-make to deflect blame.

In a perfect world, no one would get so drunk. On the other hand, society has its share of menaces and extremely bad influences regardless of states of intoxication involved. This portrayal is frighteningly accurate.

With a decent actress portraying the main character, a convincing policewoman determined to bring the wrong-doers to justice, and a no-nonsense father rightfully willing to stick up for his daughter, "The Assault" is genuinely interesting, suspenseful, and cautiously entertaining from start to finish.

Lifetime Movie inspired by the 2012 Steubenville High School rape case. Cheerleader Vega attempts suicide by self-immolation, setting into motion events that could make the community's beloved football team accountable for a very serious crime. Very dramatic for the better. Still, way too cookie-cutter in terms of structure, and the story unravels more like a mystery/thriller than a drama with something important to say. There's also the need to explain too much, indicating an underestimation of the viewer. Khandi Alexander is memorable as Detective Jodi Miller. Buckner's first role in seven years. Good if you have nothing better to do.

**½ (out of four)