Watch Cries Unheard: The Donna Yaklich Story

Cries Unheard: The Donna Yaklich Story is a drama based on a true story that follows the life of Donna Yaklich, a devoted mother and wife who was murdered by her abusive and drug-dealing police officer husband, Dennis. The movie stars Jaclyn Smith as Donna, Brad Johnson as Dennis and Hilary Swank as their teenage daughter, Dana. The story begins with Donna's happy life as a mother of two children, Dana and Damon, and a wife to Dennis, who seems loving and caring. However, it is soon revealed that Dennis is not the perfect husband and father he portrays himself to be. He is abusive both physically and mentally towards Donna and also involved in the drug trade. Donna, wanting to protect her children, decides to divorce him, but Dennis is not ready to let go easily.

Despite being warned by her friends and family that Dennis is dangerous, Donna tries to move on and starts dating a new man, but Dennis gets increasingly jealous and violent. He even threatens to take Dana away from her. Desperate, Donna turns to the police for help, but they do not take her seriously and dismiss her complaints as a domestic spat.

Things take a turn for the worse when Dennis hires a hitman to kill Donna. In a gruesome scene, Donna is gunned down in front of her children. The aftermath of her death is shown through the eyes of her teenage daughter, Dana, who is left to deal with the emotional trauma of losing her mother and the guilt of not being able to save her.

The rest of the movie focuses on the investigation and trial of Dennis, who is eventually found guilty of Donna's murder. The trial is a high-profile case, with the media and community taking sides, some standing by the accused officer, while others demanding justice for Donna. The movie ends with Dennis being sentenced to life in prison, and Dana finding solace in the fact that her mother's killer has been brought to justice.

The acting in the movie is excellent, with Jaclyn Smith giving a heart-wrenching performance as Donna, a woman trapped in an abusive relationship. Brad Johnson is equally impressive as Dennis, portraying the perfect villain with ease. Hilary Swank shines in her role as Dana, a teenager struggling to come to terms with the loss of her mother.

The movie does an excellent job of highlighting the issue of domestic violence and the importance of taking such complaints seriously. It also sheds light on the corrupt police system and the impunity with which some police officers can operate.

In conclusion, Cries Unheard: The Donna Yaklich Story is a poignant and emotionally charged movie that delivers a powerful message about the damaging effects of domestic violence and the need for justice. It is a must-watch for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the issue and the impact it has on victims and their families.

Cries Unheard: The Donna Yaklich Story is a 1994 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.