A Question of Guilt

Thankfully "A Question of Guilt" maintains the courage of its convictions. Being a late seventies television movie, one expects a neatly wrapping up of the proceedings so that we can go to our beds with the feeling all is well with the world. This very much strengthens what could have been just another television crime or court drama. This uncompromising stance is totally in synch with the uncompromising attitude of the central character.

A fine supporting cast in Ron Liebman, Alex Rocco and Viveca Lindors all help in elevating the movie but it's the crucial key role as played by Tuesday Weld that really makes "A Question of Guilt" worthwhile.

It was television rather than the movies that afforded Tuesday Weld the opportunities to display her considerable acting talents in a range of well played roles which have largely been forgotten since they were doomed to the oblivion that is the fate of even the finer works of the genre.

During much of the film, Weld dons a blonde wig bearing a striking resemblance to Michelle Pfeiffer in "Love Field". It didn't take long for Pfeiffer to enter the big league in which she's acquitted herself more than competently, "Love Field" being her finest moment. That is not how it panned out for Tuesday Weld. The big league for whatever reason, she would remain excluded from other than memorable supporting roles ("Looking for Mr. Goodbar", "Once Upon a Time In America").

The result is that it's very hard to find her best work on video and admittedly many of her movies are not exactly essential viewing. Still, she never gives a weak performance which does makes these movies well worth seeking out.