BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT
US, 1992, 93 minutes, Colour.
Donald Sutherland, Amy Irving, Graham Greene, Christopher Mc Donald, Ryder Strong, Theodor Bikel, Ferdie Maine.
Directed by Jonathan Heap.
Benefit of the Doubt begins as a psychological drama with Donald Sutherland as an ex-convict going home to see his estranged daughter. She has testified at his trial and he was found guilty on her testimony. Audience sympathy is with Sutherland as his daughter seems unreasonable and rejects him. Midway through the film, it emerges that Sutherland is insane, has a fixation on his daughter, murders her fiance and then begins to terrorise the family. From psychological drama it moves to a breathless chase by car and also by foot over rocky mountains and ends in a cliff top confrontation. While the beginning is psychologically interesting, the latter part of the film is more action adventure. Donald Sutherland is quietly and menacingly persuasive as the convict. Amy Irving is a strong foil as his daughter.
1. Interesting drama turning into melodrama? Issues, characters, dramatic confrontation? The law and the truth?
2. The title, juries and court cases, Frank being found guilty, the testimony of his daughter, her being forced to give him the benefit of the doubt?
3. The introduction to Frank, his voice-over explanation to the parole board, 22 years in prison? His seeming to be a strong man, the impression that he was falsely accused and imprisoned? His return home, watching his daughter? The film giving clues to his infatuation with his daughter, watching her with Dan, at the topless club? His wanting to see his grandson? Karen warning him off, his appearing at the house, meeting Pete? Her getting more and more angry with him? His fixing the path, always present? His meeting Dan and the meeting with the sheriff? Karen changing her mind, his persuasiveness in saying that her mother was alcoholic and that everybody knew? The change in Frank, at the jeweller's shop and seeing Dan buy the engagement ring? Killing him at the plant? Pretending to be upset? His sexual advances on his daughter, her recovering her memory? His pursuing Karen and Pete, in the diner, on the road, through the cliffs? His being arrested by Calhoun, killing him, the confrontation with Karen and Pete, the house, shooting the deputy, in the boat? On the cliff top? His phrase, "Daddy's not going to forget you," and his killing himself, telling Karen that she would not forget him? A portrait of an insane and perverted man?
4. Karen, her testimony against her father, her fear of him, no contact with him in prison? Single mother, her raising Pete, her job as a drinks waitress? With the men, asking for more hours' work to get money for Pete? At home, their slovenly life, yet their bonds? Her love for Dan, time with him, the proposal? Friendship with Susanna - and yet going against her and believing her father? The reaction against her father, protecting her son? Having to listen to him, persuaded, going to the lawyer? Her trust in him? The advances, her horror, taking her son, the pursuit and the final confrontation?
5. Pete, his age, experience, with his mother, with Dan? Curiosity about his grandfather, sharing pastimes with him? Growing fond of him? The pursuit, confronting his grandfather with the gun, Karen taking it and shooting her father?
6. Dan, work, friendship, love for Karen, the dinners, buying the ring, his death?
7. The sheriff, doubting Frank's guilt, yet not communicating with him? Warning Frank off, the final confrontation and his death?
8. The lawyer, his coaching Karen for the case, getting a conviction - without convictions about Frank's guilt?
9. The human drama of benefit of the doubt, evidence, memory? The particular case of sexual abuse within the family, repressed memory, the awakening of the memory - and having to deal with it?
