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Meryl Streep, Liam Neeson, Edward Furlong, Julia Weldon, Alfred Molina ... see more see more... , John Heard , Daniel von Bargen , Wesley Addy , Pamela Blair , Kaiulani Lee , Ann Magnuson , Larry Pine , Sharon Ullrick , John Wylie , John Webber , Alison Folland , Tim Cavanaugh , Susan May Pratt , Bernadette Quigley , Ellen Lancaster , John Deyle , Oliver Graney , Jay Potter , Robert Westenberg

Director Barbet Schroeder and screenwriter Ted Tally adapted the novel by Rosellen Brown into this intriguing drama that, while heavily criticized for a third-act revelation that is something of a cop... read more read more...-out, nevertheless features -- typically of Schroeder's work -- compelling performances, domestic discord, and a search for the truth. Meryl Streep stars as Carolyn Ryan, a rural Massachusetts pediatrician married to Ben (Liam Neeson), a handsome, rugged sculptor. Although theirs is not a picture-perfect marriage, the Ryans consider themselves happy, until police arrive at their home one morning to inform them that their son Jacob (Edward Furlong) was the last person seen the night before with a teenage girl who has been murdered. Jacob is missing, and the Ryans frantically search for him, but when the boy returns, it is obvious that he's not being completely truthful about the night's events. While Carolyn wants the truth, Ben is willing to go to whatever lengths are necessary to defend Jacob, hiring an expensive lawyer (Alfred Molina), destroying evidence, and encouraging Jacob to be deceitful. Carolyn and Ben's opposing views of their son's legal trouble cause serious turmoil in the Ryans' marriage, which may be irreparably harmed in spite of the 11th hour appearance of the truth. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Flixster Users

39% liked it

5,176 ratings

Critics

32% liked it

19 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: Barbet Schroeder

Release Date: February 23, 1996

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DVD Release Date: April 6, 2004

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Stats: 166 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (166)

  • xxdebxx
    November 18, 2010
    xxdebxx
    Jacob Ryan (Edward Furlong has become adept to playing the disturbed teen-American History X and Terminator 2) plays a moody 16-year-old who is accused of murdering his two-timing girlfriend (Alison Folland) and has to suffers the consequences of his actions. Jacob's concerned ... read moreparents are played by Liam Neeson and Meryl Streep who are caught between covering for their son and telling the truth. Also starring Alfred Molina as the stereotypical lawyer who is interested more in getting Jacob off the hook, than doing what is morally correct.
  • neffielee
    September 23, 2010
    neffielee
    What would you do if your kid was accused of murder? Liam Neeson and Meryl Streep create very believable characters at odds with how to handle this very situation. With such a strong leading cast, and a thought-provoking storyline, it fell a little (just a little) short of my ... read moreexpectations.

    Neeson and Streep play a very affluent couple in a small town whose lives are completely changed when a young womans body is found, and the police suspect their son of her murder. Neeson is great as a dad whose first instinct is to protect his son, even to the point of getting rid of supposed evidence. Streeps character, who believes totally in her sons innocence, is willing to give the police full access in hopes of finding her son; who has been missing since the event transpired.

    Together they must face their home town that has not only abandoned them, but also has become hostile towards them. They must search for their son and find the truth. The beauty in this movie is watching a realistic transformation of a family facing, coping, and eventually moving forward after a crisis.
  • ileo
    December 20, 2007
    ileo
    Intriguing!
  • thereverendtholomewplague
    August 30, 2010
    thereverendtholomewplague
    This movie was pretty decent. But also pretty bleak, dreary, yet gritty. Just an interesting storyline in all. Oh how people barricade the truth.. and how strangely others decipher it.
  • moviegirl50
    May 1, 2010
    moviegirl50
    This was good....Streep and Neeson, what's not to like? I kept wondering if their young son was a killer or not? It gave me a creepy sickening feeling, so if that's what was intended they hit a homerun.
  • obsessedwithdisciple
    January 2, 2008
    obsessedwithdisciple
    this was a good movie, but liam neeson's character drove me insane..lol. it's a very unique crime movie b/c i've never seen one where they do what they do in this film.
  • generalginger83
    January 1, 2008
    generalginger83
    Amazing Film!! Shows the true Relationship on how much parents should love thier children no-matter what mistakes they make.
  • joyndick
    December 21, 2007
    joyndick
    Meryl Streerp brings class to any movie. Liam Neeson is also a great actor. But sometimes no matter what, you just can't bring it off. This movie lacks that extra push.
  • historyluver
    August 17, 2007
    historyluver
    It was actually and interesting movie with alot of conflict, character development, and emotion. This murder mystery/family problems/right vs. wrong walks a thin line, and ends up on the right side. It us a movie that you should only see when you are prepared for a non-comedic pe... read morerformance and story, but it does present top-rate performances and plot.
  • lisaann1213
    June 19, 2007
    lisaann1213
    This movie is very deceiving in a way. You have a doctor (Streep) & an artist (Neeson) presenting the perfect life in a rural New England town with their kids. But after the son is accused of murder everything seemingly falls apart under a web of deciet. How these two charect... read moreers manage to stay married is a wonder to me. Ultimately what saves this movie from being an unqualified disaster is Edward Furlong, who as the troubled Jacob, runs the gamut of emotions & who is ultimately responsible for bringing this family together. Particularly touching are the scenes between furlong & his onscreen sister, however if you read the book that this film is based on, you'll very quickly realize that the relationship is severly toned down for the screen (In the book, the brother sister bond boarders on incestuous, sorry if I'm giving too much away.).

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Critic Reviews

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

Despite Meryl Streep, Liam Neeson and the usually estimable Edward Furlong, this nonevent huffs and puffs to attain even the level of an ordinary motion picture.

Nell Minow
June 20, 2003
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

Uneven script, but strong performances by a powerhouse cast.

Frank Ochieng
June 3, 2003
Frank Ochieng, TheWorldJournal.com

A strained but nevertheless involving little personal drama about a delinquent's alleged murderous deed. Schroeder's suspense piece is arbitrary but satisfying thanks to the reliable leads.

Christopher Null
January 1, 2000
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

fares poorly when constrained to the screen Full Review

Godfrey Cheshire
March 26, 2009
Godfrey Cheshire, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Edward Guthmann
June 18, 2002
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

Click to read the article Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

No review available.

Jack Mathews
February 14, 2001
Jack Mathews, Los Angeles Times

Click to read the article Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

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