Caught this on TV about 15 years ago and managed to watch it again recently and it still hits me as hard as it did the first time.
The trials and tribulations we see the accused family go through are so painful and the stigma and paranoia surrounding them after the accusations arise.
The movie itself did an incredible job piecing together a tragic story that somehow provided light at the end of the tunnel.
James Woods is fantastic in his role as the defender for the accused. His character's initial motivation and the evolution it takes as the story progresses was very warm to see considering how the family seemed to only have each other in what was a witch hunt fed by paranoia.
It's a film that is relevant today in an age where adults have to think twice before smiling at a child in public. This film does justice to depicting some deep issues rounded out by solid performances from Henry Thomas, Shirley Knight and Sada Thompson (and of course James Woods).
The trials and tribulations we see the accused family go through are so painful and the stigma and paranoia surrounding them after the accusations arise.
The movie itself did an incredible job piecing together a tragic story that somehow provided light at the end of the tunnel.
James Woods is fantastic in his role as the defender for the accused. His character's initial motivation and the evolution it takes as the story progresses was very warm to see considering how the family seemed to only have each other in what was a witch hunt fed by paranoia.
It's a film that is relevant today in an age where adults have to think twice before smiling at a child in public. This film does justice to depicting some deep issues rounded out by solid performances from Henry Thomas, Shirley Knight and Sada Thompson (and of course James Woods).