Watch Unspeakable Acts
- NR
- 1990
- 1 hr 35 min
-
6.1 (538)
Unspeakable Acts is a gut-wrenching drama that is based on the true story of a small town pediatrician who is accused of sexually abusing his young patients. The movie explores the impact of this heinous crime on the families of the victims and the doctor's own family as well. Jill Clayburgh stars as Dr. Laura Drake, a psychologist who is tasked with interviewing the young victims in order to build a case against the accused pediatrician. Clayburgh's performance is haunting and emotional, as she tries to navigate the harrowing stories of sexual abuse that the children reveal to her.
Brad Davis plays the accused doctor, John St. Clair, who vehemently denies the allegations against him. Davis perfectly captures the sense of desperation and fear that St. Clair feels as the evidence begins to mount against him.
Supporting performances from Sam Behrens and John Glover as detectives on the case, and Natasha Gregson Wagner as one of the young victims, add to the film's intense emotional impact. The scenes depicting the children's testimony are especially difficult to watch, but they are essential in conveying the gravity of the situation.
The film also delves into the way that sexual abuse cases can tear families apart. Laura Drake's own son becomes a victim of bullying at school because of her involvement in the case. St. Clair's wife, played by Gwen Verdon, is torn between her love for her husband and her horror at the possibility that he may be guilty of these unspeakable acts.
Director Linda Otto does a masterful job of balancing the human drama with the legal proceedings. The scenes in the courtroom are tense and gripping, with both sides presenting compelling arguments. The fact that the case is based on a true story makes it all the more harrowing.
Unspeakable Acts is not an easy film to watch, but it is an important one. It shines a light on the devastating effects of sexual abuse, and the complicated emotions that can arise in the aftermath. The film is a reminder that we need to do more to protect our children from predators, and to ensure that justice is served for those who have been victimized.
Unspeakable Acts is a 1990 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.