I rented this film because it was directed by John Schlesinger ('Billy Liar', 'Darling', 'Far From The Madding Crowd', 'Marathon Man', 'Midnight Cowboy' and many other excellent films) so it must be good, right? Wrong. It's awful.
The plot is yet another tired old hackneyed vigilante story, albeit with a serious subject matter: 17 year old girl is raped and murdered by serial rapist. Let down by the US justice system, mother turns vigilante and kills him. And with actors such as Sally Field (mother), Keifer Sutherland (rapist), Ed Harris (father), what could go wrong? Well, plenty...
The script is dreadful, the acting awful, and the storyline unbelievable. I just didn't believe or care about any of the characters – Sally Field did not make me believe that she either cared for her daughter or was capable of being a vigilante, Keifer Sutherland played a character so over-the-top that it was unbelievable, and Ed Harris played the (step)father in such a detached manner that he too was unbelievable.
The film reminded me of one of those awful made-for-TV dramas that we see used as late night fillers. In fact I read the end credits carefully to check – but unfortunately, it is indeed a real film.
Watching this wasted 101 minutes of my life which I shall never get back. Don't waste yours.