Greetings again from the darkness. "You have the right to remain silent." Whether you say it out loud or just finish it in your head, the vast majority of us know what follows, even if it's (hopefully) just from watching TV and movies. You likely also know that it's part of The Miranda Rights ... a list of rights that anyone being arrested is entitled to. If you are like me, you probably hadn't put any thought into the origin of those rights or the requirement for law enforcement to recite them in a timely manner. Director Michelle Danner (THE RUNNER, 2021) and co-writers George Kolber and J Craig Stiles are here to educate by bringing us the story of Trish Weir and Ernesto Miranda.
The film is based on the true story of Trish, an 18-year-old working at a local movie theater. After one late night bus ride home from work, she was abducted and raped. As Trish, Abigail Breslin proves yet again that she is a terrific actor, and fully grown up since her breakthrough performance in LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (2006). What follows is gut-wrenching, and likely a scene that played out all too frequently fifty years ago, and still occurs today. Trish's mom (Mireille Enos, "The Killing") tries to dissuade her from going to the police by warning her that "they never believe the victim", and that she will then be considered "damaged goods." It's painful to watch this play out, despite knowing that mom thinks she is protecting her young daughter. Trish's sister Ann (Emily Van Camp, "Revenge") is very supportive and follows her to the doctor for the initial check-up, to the police station for filing the report, and ultimately to the courtroom.
There is much to consider in this story. How courageous was Trish for standing up and pursuing the case? How about the detectives (played by Enrique Murciano, Brent Sexton) who recognized that even though other victims had chosen not to come forward, Trish could help them stop a really bad guy? And then there is a legal system that was unfair to both Trish and Ernesto Miranda (Sebastian Quinn), as well as the attorney, judges, and jurors involved with the cases. Fittingly, a clip of the 1962 classic TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is shown, emphasizing the wheels of justice turn slowly. We see that the ACLU attorney (Ryan Phillippe) gets involved when he believes Mr. Miranda was coerced into a confession. This is the case that changes everything.
Supporting work comes from Luke Wilson as Trish's attorney, Lawrence Turoff; Andy Garcia as Miranda's first defense attorney, Alvin Moore; Donald Sutherland as a judge in the case; Taryn Manning ("Orange is the New Black") as a key witness; Dan Lauria as the examining doctor; and Kyle MacLachlan as Chief Justice Earl Warren, who is excited for a rare public reading of the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in 1966. It should be noted that the film is very well acted, with the notable exception of Ryan Phillippe, who tries oh-so-hard to steal his scenes, failing painfully.
Michelle Danner's work as director here is exceptional, given how many facets to the story must be juggled and given proper due. Even the re-trial of Miranda is handled well, as Trish is put through another round of emotional turmoil, this time involving her spouse. The film ends with a startling statistic: only 5 of every 1000 sexual assaults result in a conviction. Those are today's figures, so we are left to wonder just how much has changed over the past 60 years.
The film is currently playing the Film Festival circuit.
