After a big homecoming Glen Ridge High School football game, several muscular young men are shown undressing and showering. After the shirtless credits, we meet attractive hometown detective Ally Sheedy (as Kelly Brooks) at the post-game celebration. Also present is "mildly retarded" student Heather Matarazzo (as Leslie Faber). A mainstreamed special education student, Ms. Matarazzo is infatuated with the handsome football players and imagines she is dancing with them. Rumors in Glen Ridge are that Matarazzo was assaulted with a broom and baseball bat in a basement, by members of the school's beloved football team. Assisted by prosecutor Eric Stoltz (as Robert "Bob" Laurino), Ms. Brooks investigates...
There is something wrong with this story. It may be that it was dramatized as an ABC-TV movie and had to hesitate. It was based on a true story, but this review is only going to cover what is depicted on screen. We are led to believe a significant group of students would watch a young woman raped with a broom, baseball bat and stick. The young men demonstrate no sexual participation or gratification. The young woman seems upset but okay after the acts and promises not to tell. Something this brutal, this sadistic, and nobody called 9-11? Nobody took her to the hospital? Guess that's possible, but the barbarism may be overstated. If not, the level of evil present suggest the football players should be put away for life...
To be fair, there are a couple of times when we hear about other sexual activities. For example, Matarazzo states Scott Vickaryous (as Paul Archer) wanted her to "play" with him. Later, we learn oral sex may have been a part of the experience. These, and other possible sexual encounters, are not seen. Also troubling is how the defendants and their enablers are almost universally unlikable. Even the non-jock "good guy" Kett Turton (as John Tierney) advocates rape with his van sign, "Jocks will see what it feels like to get raped in jail." He expresses the view that rape is okay, under specific circumstances. Yet, the story does examine the glorification of athletes and the tendency to cover-up their lapses into lawlessness...
Finally, the performance by Matarazzo of a mentally disabled young woman is stellar. Her "Leslie Faber" is one of the most touching and realistic portrayals of an intellectually challenged individual, to date. Oddly, there are no "Best Actress" Emmy Award consideration. Anyone who knows people like "Leslie" will see the realistic character traits employed by Matarazzo. Much applause to the actress, her director Guy Ferland and writer Paul Brown for bringing this character to life. This characterization should help people understand how to live with people who are cognitively challenged. It's important to understand "Leslie" and "Louis" (Kevin Howarth) have sexual desires, and we need to react appropriately to their feelings.
******* Outrage at Glen Ridge (5/10/99) Guy Ferland ~ Heather Matarazzo, Ally Sheedy, Eric Stoltz, Sara Botsford
