Au Bénéfice du Doute

I have to say that although the story itself was quite mediocre, casting Amy Irving as the daughter was a brilliant move. Irving was practically unrecognisable as the woman who - many years ago - identified her father as the murderer of her mother.

Irving is relaxed, uninhibited & - again - almost unrecognisable in her role as Karen Braswell. Karen has straight, bleached blond hair & drives a pick-up. Her role blew me away when I first saw this film. After "Carrie," "The Fury," etc... I was so used to seeing Irving as curly-haired, cautious, & retrospective. Karen Braswell was brashy, kinda trashy, blond & sure of herself - a role that actors literally kill for.

If you are a fan of acting, I highly recommend seeing this film JUST for Amy Irving's performance. She is AMAZING-!!!

Likewise for me, it's been a while since I've seen this movie, however, I remember it distinctly because of its stars.

I would recommend it for the following reason. If you have visited the area of Page, Arizona, and Lake Powell it's quite a kick to see this movie placed in that locale. Marvelous chases through the mysterious sandstone passages and on the water. Sometimes the location can be as much of a drawing point as the plot and actors. I've seen many otherwise mediocre things that have been filmed in a particular city or other location that I'm familiar with. London is among my favorites.

Interesting twists of plot and getting three great names like Amy Irving, Donald Sutherland and Graham Greene is quite a coup. It's good viewing for a chilly night with nothing better to do.

I saw this film quite a while ago and really don't remember much of the story, which says quite something. I think it was about a father (Sutherland) who threatens his daughter and it was supposed to be a thriller. Sutherland has played a lot of these characters, but it's a shame he always ends up in ordinary, unremarkable films such as this one. It's not good, it's not bad, it's as mediocre as it gets. 5/10

"Benefit of the Doubt" features another "Creepy Grandpa" performance by Donald Sutherland, not unlike his character in "Panic". Sutherland is very good in both films, and is surrounded by excellent supporting actors, William H. Macy in "Panic", and Amy Irving and Graham Greene in "Benefit of the Doubt". Another plus is the beautiful desert setting, with magnificent red rock formations. Although the story is rather straightforward, the entertainment value is high. Grandfather is released from prison, and seeks relationship with estranged Daughter who helped convict him. Theodore Bikel's performance, as the district attorney is noteworthy also. Recommended. - MERK

This 1993 drama/thriller 'Benefit of the Doubt' stars Donald Sutherland and Amy Irving. Sutherland delivers a strong performance (as does Irving) in a rather "straight to video" quality film.

Amy Irving plays a character very unlike her other performances (such as Carrie, The Fury or Anastasia). For one thing she doesn't have her trademark curly hair but is a straight blonde, she plays Karen an Arizona single mom who works in an adult bar and smokes cigarettes. She has daddy issues, 22 years ago her father Frank (Sutherland) was arrested and placed into prison with the help of Karen after attacking his wife and killing her.

Frank is released and Karen is hysterical when she first finds out her son Pete (Rider Strong) has had a harmless encounter with her father. Karen tells her son to promise her not to see him again but Frank finds ways trying to enter her life again and seems harmless doing it. What Karen doesn't know is if what she saw that night 22 years ago actually happened and if she can trust her father again, a man she help stay in prison for such a long time.

One word can describe Amy in this film, and that is 'HOT', she is incredibly sexy and has a racy scene with her on-screen boyfriend Dan (Christopher McDonald), Sutherland is 'good' in his role. I watched this not expecting much and is good, just good. It wasn't incredibly well made but it passes for a good midday movie or if you are suffering from incredible boredom.

6/10.