1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

A Woman Accused (1977) Starring Chad Everett, Barbara Hershey, Carol Cook, Howard Duff, Diane Scarwid, Salome Jens, Anthony Zerbe, David Wayne, Ron Rifkin, Mary Woronov, Tisha Sterling, Lynne Marta, Warren Vanders, Gloria Leroy, Gloria Stuart.

Directed by Robert Butler.

Rating: AA

"I don't have to believe you're innocent. I just have to stop them from proving you're guilty."

Crusading Los Angeles attorney Vince Halloran (Everett), who champions lost causes (and gets himself appointed on a public defender basis when his clients can't pay) takes the case of a very inarticulate and guilty looking woman (Scarwid) accused of murdering her blackmailing former lesbian lover. We know she didn't do it because we see who did in the opening scenes. But her lawyer doesn't.

Her own billionaire father (Duff) doesn't care whether or not she did it. He is ready to shell out whatever money, and exert whatever influence he has to have his daughters secret life protected and urges the attorney to strike a quick plea bargain to avoid an embarrassing trial. His client does not want to be kept in the closet as a lesbian any longer and she isn't guilty. Vincent nobly does what his client wants against the wishes of many people. He does so because his ex-girlfriend (Hershey), the current girlfriend of the accused has asked him to and he still has feelings for her.

Critics need to use caution with over the top adjectives. They can make one's judgement appear prone to hyperbole and thus of questionable merit. But in regards to the acting performances in this title very few negative descriptive words would be too much to accurately to describe the ineptitude on display here from the earliest scenes onward.

Half the actors in this give indescribably poor performances, Everett and Scarwid especially. The other half give the type of fun performances that good actors do when they are appearing in drek.

Chad Everett was cut from the same mould as ubermacho square-jawed leading men like Clint Eastwood, Lee Majors, Christopher Stone and Art Hindle. But the guys I just mentioned alongside his name can act. If you want some idea of how bad a male lead like this can look in a film role watch Everett here in his first scene. Take note of the dramatic gestures of when he swivels back in his chair to discuss the case with his secretary/ex-girlfriend Ellen (Hershey). Yikes!

Scarwid is almost legendary for her poor acting which people tend to remember best from her turn in the film Mommie

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Movie reviews: A Woman Accused (1977)?
We want to hear your view. Write now!