WITHOUT HER CONSENT

US, 1990, 92 minutes, Colour.
Melissa Gilbert, Scott Valentine, Barry Tubb, Bebe Neuwirth.
Directed by Sandor Stern.

Without Her Consent is an effective telemovie on the subject of rape. It is one of many American telemovies on the subject made during the late '80s, a sign of greater consciousness in the American community about the prevalence of rape, the victimisation of the women, the exercise of power by men, the need for police procedures as well as for assistance in the legal system.

The film shows Melissa Gilbert as an enthusiastic young woman coming to California and waiting for her fiance. A friendly young man offers to sell her a table and she naively goes to his house. He rapes her. This is a pattern with him and he is defiant. The fiance arrives and physically assaults him. The fiance is also hesitant about his relationship with his girlfriend.

The film highlights the anguish of the young woman, her ordeal, the defiance of the rapist, her fiance and his poor response. She is in touch with other women who have been raped, with a lawyer who wants to make a case. The case goes before the court. Fortunately, the fiancee is able to think and feel through the situation and is instrumental in getting a witness who is able to get the conviction of the rapist. Melissa Gilbert is good in the central role. Scott Valentine is surly as the rapist. Barry Tubb is credible as the fiance.

The film is designed for the wide television audience and its treatment of rape is restrained for that audience. However, the plot, acting and the atmosphere of the movie are quite powerful in alerting the audience to the realities of the situation and the need for care as well as for justice.

1.A serious telemovie? Serious themes? Presented for appreciation by the wide television audience? How successfully?

2.The contrast between the Mid- West and California, the California settings, homes, streets and parks, the law courts? The authentic atmosphere?

3.The title, rape and sexual violence, the focus on the victim?

4.Emily, her background, her love for Trey? The farewell and her going to California? Her looking at houses and renting? Her cousin and the friendship and support? The chance encounter with Jason, accepting the ride despite hesitation? His offer of the table? Her going, unwitting, the experience of the physical attack and the rape? Going to the police, being disturbed at the police station, going home? Discussing with her cousin? The phone call from Trey and her being unable to tell him? Her decision not to pursue the case? Jason and his defiance? The discussion with lawyers? The visit from another girl who had been raped? Being in contact with the other women? Her hesitation? Her telling Trey and her disappointment at his reaction, self-preoccupied? The need for a separation? Her decision to go to court, not worrying about public opinion and papers nor her family's reaction? Trey and his violence against Jason? The arrest and the charge? The court case, the giving of evidence, the twisting of evidence? Jason and his going free? The separation from Trey and her being by herself? The determination to do something? The further trial, its seeming to go against her? Trey and his bringing the neighbour in for evidence? The reconciliation? Jason and his outburst and condemnation? The trauma of the experience, building a new life?

5.Trey, film-making, his enthusiasm, love for Emily, following her to California? The possibility of jobs, in the mailroom, a career in film? His love for Emily? Her not being able to tell him the truth? The explanation, his angry reaction, self-preoccupied, not believing Emily, lack of consideration for her? Realising this too late? His attack on Jason? Giving himself up, the charge, the court case? His being found guilty, the need to find the money? Emily and her wanting the separation? His getting work, lonely, wanting to see Emily? His being ashamed of his behaviour? The court case, his concern? His decision to find the neighbour, even though it meant breaking the law and going near Jason's house? Talking with the neighbour, persuading him to come? Winning Emily back? A future?

6.Jason, playing basketball, his come-on, charm? His taking her for coffee? The offer of the table? The physical attack and the rape? His domineering attitude? His defiance? Hanging around? Attacked by Trey? Going to court, his reactions in the court, the seeming innocent? His callow attitude towards women and sexuality? The further interrogations, the witness against him and his breakdown? His condemnation?

7.The lawyers and their concern, the women supporting women? The other victims, the visit to the house, their stories about Jason? The need for legal processes? The judge and his concern? Prosecuting and defence lawyers and their arguments?

8.The neighbour, his not coming forward, not knowing what was going on? Trey's approach, his hesitance, his being persuaded, his giving testimony?

9.The prevalence of sexual violence in American and other societies? Women as victims? Men and power, using sexuality? The need for personal care for trauma? The need for better legal processes?