When He's Not a Stranger

I was a little hestitant about this movie, because there are so many ways movies such as these can go wrong. Hardly the case with this absolutely stunning performance. The casting was superb and Annabeth Gish was amazing as Lyn McKenna, the victim of acquaintence rape who took the risk and brought the offender to justice. I've only noticed Annabeth Gish, granted, since her appearance in The X Files over the last year and a half, however since then I've had the pleasure of seeing *several* of her other movies and am amazed at how an actress can be so undervalued. Her work is stunning; she puts so much emotion into her characters and strives to make them one hundred percent believeable. I can't wait to see her upcoming projects! This movie was confronting and inspiring, especially for young women such as myself and my friends - there should be more like it.

This film provides us with a glimpse into how rape victims are really treated. This film is an illustration of what goes on behind the scenes, and how it is the victim that is really put on trial not the guilty. When a sports star commits a crime, he is held above reproach, and those who would dare to "tarnish" their good name are treated like villains instead of the victims they truly are. Schools should keep in mind that it would be far more beneficial for the guilty to be prosecuted than to cover up the crime and risk discovery of the truth and face a litany of legal action.

I saw this back in 1989 when it premiered on TV. It was supposed to premiere around the same time as the World Series but was moved postponed when the San Francisco earthquake happened. It stars the beautiful Annabeth Gish as a young college student named Lyn, who is in love with a college football star Ron. Ron also takes an interest in Lyn, but is dating her best friend. One night, Ron is invites Lyn into his dorm and decides to rape her. When she tries to defend herself, Ron is protected and Lyn is disciplined for drinking. So the next step is court.

This was made around the time the term "date rape" became a buzzword. It was very realistic as it showed how the victim is affected, but the impression it gives to her peers (especially if the accused is the big man on campus), and the families struggle to deal with a one sided system. The ending is unexpected, but it works well. The performances are great all around and you really feel that is was based on a true story, even if the story itself is just a screenplay. It is still a very well written screenplay.

When you see the title of the movie and read the synopsis you would think that this would be another one of those lifetime type movies where the woman doesn't get raped until the middle of the movie and the rest of the movie is about her crying and whimpering until she goes to court and tries to convict him within the last 5 minutes.

Well, I decided to watch on because it was summer time and nothing was on. I remembered seeing Lyn's friend in a movie on lifetime called "Gone in the Night" and I know Annabeth Gish from "The X Files" and "Desert Bloom." I'm glad that I watched it because it was incredibly enjoyable.

Annabeth Gish plays Lyn McKenna and she is going to a good college, I believe on a scholarship. Her best friend also goes to school with her and is going out with a popular jock. One night she meets up with the man at his dorm because she thinks that her friend Melaine is going to be there. But it turns out that he had set all of this up just so that he could rape her. She goes to the school but they don't believe her. And the football coach and his team scheme to set her up so that the football player doesn't take the fall. But even with all of these elements against her, she fights.

The movie could have been an absolute disaster. But to my surprise it was very good. The story was very believable and fun to watch. I'm glad that she didn't turn away and the whole movie wasn't about her crying over what had happened to. It really showed you how women in rape cases are treated. Them being called stupid by the cops. Being asked what they wore on that night and practically blamed for something that really wasn't their fault to begin with.

Annabeth Gish is a wonderful actress. She shined in her first real movie which was "Desert Bloom" and really made me care about the character that she played. She is one of the only actresses that I know that can cry and really seem like she's crying. The guy who raped her who's name is unknown by me also did a great job. And Lyn's male friend was also a great actor even though he strikes me as looking like a grade a creep.

Don't take this movie as being some kind of lifetime rip-off. It actually has something to offer you and isn't boring either. There are also some surprising

Annabeth Gish is one of the truly gifted young actors around and it is a pity she's not that well known. She has a vulnerability to her that is quite captivating and this film is a prime testament to that. I have seen this movie about ten years ago for the first time and it struck a chord with me. It is sensitive,intelligent and very mature in its handling of a difficult subject. It's not one dimensional and it doesn't choose the obvious solutions. It's powerful in a quiet sort of way, and features a strong performance by Paul Dooley as Gish's compassionate father. Gish who came to prominence after Desert Bloom and Mystic Pizza has rarely been given such a good part in the years ahead,which is a great shame. She deserves as much recognition as her Mystic Pizza co star Julia Roberts. Watch this film and I'm sure you'll agree.