User reviews

we need more movies for TV directed by you; Since TV encompasses only certain subjects, we need a unique director, with actual talent and acting experience!.

While the subject matter of this film could be considered redundant (No more Kobe Bryant stories....please...); Dennehy manages to piece the film together from the victim's viewpoint as well; and this makes ALL the difference.

Alice Krige plays the victim, and this was based on a true story; I find these movies a more artful way to catch up on news; and at least the stories are fact-based. You also can avoid watching mindless newscasters like Tucker Carlson or other NBC "talking heads" with no talent, spewing the news headlines with their bought and paid-for bias. I digress, however; next time you are in the mood for true crime; try LMN or a Lifetime movie, instead of local (yawn) news.

Ms. Krige is excellent, not over the top; and a sympathetic character.In one scene, toward the end, Dennehy has an excellent scene, wherein he watches the tape of her saying "I was terrified...."; as he watches this over and over, he suddenly realizes that his perspective is COMPLETELY different from the woman's; you can read this in his face, and that is the sign of a real actor; they don't need props, costumes, or reality TV shows. They convey emotion through film.

Many questions and few answers here, the main problem being the fact of an actual rape with no evidence to prove it. That is unfortunately the case with most rapes: only the victim knows the truth, while the perpetrator just has to deny it. Alice Krige is here the victim, and she is the focus of the drama, completely dominating the whole show, even when she doesn't appear in person. She is a charming guest at a cozy dinner party, in which the host finally finds her too attractive and nice not to do something about her, while he never expected her to react, which she does by pressing charges on him, astounding everyone around and the whole community. It leads to a trial, in which the rapist is acquitted, but the rape remains a fact, and the story continues. His son tries to save the situation, and we never learn about the consequences, but the father and his victims are all given a chance. The other major performance contribution here is the mother, played by Lynn Redgrave, and she actually turns the tables, although she is a loser as well and resigns to the fact. Brian Dennehy is the father and the director and makes an impressive job of it. All the actors are excellent, but you will remember those two women.

Brian Dennehy has proven himself a capable director who knows how to build suspense better than most directors working today. Shadow Of A Doubt and Indefensible: The Truth About Edward Brannigan are perfect examples of that.

A gruff, commanding attorney, Edward Brannigan(Dennehy) is forced to defend himself against a charge of rape after an awkward dinner meeting with associate, Rebecca Daly(Krige). The charge begins to take a toll on Brannigan and Daly's circle of friends who are forced to take a side.

The film uses every trick in the book to sway the audience back and forth in a struggle of truths. Is Brannigan a slimy, misogynist who can't comprehend that `no' means `no' or is Daly a neurotic, opportunist looking to bring down a legendary attorney? The suspense continues to build at a breakneck pace and even when things begin to unravel, you find yourself questioning things even more.

The talented ensemble of actors include; Lynn Redgrave, Reed Diamond, Benjamin Ratner and, last but not least, Lori Ann Triolo. The young, up and coming actress, absolutely steals the picture out from under her more famous castmates. Triolo, is like a breath of fresh air in a sometimes smoggy story. I never for once doubted her as a sexually charged dynamo, extremely intelligent lawyer and concerned friend who is forced to chose between colleagues and lovers. Rarely, am I awestruck by a performance the way I was with Triolo's. She owns the camera the same way Bette Davis did in her prime.

The subject matter of Indefensible: The Truth About Edward Brannigan might not appeal to most, especially since the subject seems to take a backseat to various plot devices. The one thing you can rely on is Lori Triolo and her brilliant performance. Check it out!