Blyss's Review For:

GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT

Main Cast of Characters

Brendan Fraser.............Bobby McLaughlin

Martin Sheen........Harold Hohne

Caroline Kava.............Mary Hohne

James Handy...........Gerry Duffy

Rebecca Schull............Beverly Rosen

Peter Friedman............Richard Emery

Tristan Tait........Jimmy O'Neill

Renée Estevez........Carol McLaughlin

Zachary Mott........Billy Ferro

Bingo O'Malley........Judge Mollen

1991. Rated NR. Genre: Drama; 93 minutes

"I did not do this!"

In 1979, a crime is committed in Marine Park in Brooklyn, New York. Some people are robbed by two men with guns. One of the innocents being robbed are shot. Another boy is in the group, Jimmy O'Neill says he can identify the guy because he wants to be a big shot. Meanwhile, Bobby McLaughlin climbs in through his parents window waking up everyone up. He is stoned and his foster father, Harold Hohne, does not want him to stay there. His mom helps him out and makes a place for him on the couch. He tells his mother that Spookie Halstead, a friend of his, was the one that was killed in Marine Park that night and he did not want to be alone. The next morning, a cop encourages O'Neill to identify Bobby as the man with Billy Ferro even though he is not the right one and the cop has pulled the wrong card. The kid goes along with it and Bobby is arrested. His foster father does not want to think he is innocent because Bobby has been in so much trouble. However, after he takes a lie detector test the next year to prove to them he is innocent, they believe him. Nine months after that, the court appointed attorney assures them that there will be no problem proving Bobby's innocence until they realize the prosecution has a witness: O'Neill. His parents then begin pushing for an appeal. But can they prove that their foster son was innocent after all or will he have to serve his time for a crime he did not commit?

This is actually one of my favorite Brendan Fraser movies. You don't get to see many dramas that Fraser's dramatic acting ability is actually utilized. In this movie, it is. He is comical at the beginning when he is stoned coming into his parents house after they ask him if he was drunk or what was wrong with him. When his father finally believes him after the lie detector, he begins to cry and this scene is so touching. Some true dramatic acting! You can feel Bobby's heartbreak when the Hohnes tell him they cannot put up the house for bail and that he is going to have to serve his time. He straightens up and tells them not to worry about him and he will serve the time, but you can see how much he is hurting.

I actually have two favorite parts in this movie. One is when Harold finally believes Bobby is innocent. The first time I watched it, I got goosebumps when they both started to cry. They finally connected as father and son after so long not connecting. A good example of them being non-connective was at the beginning of the movie when Harold suggested Bobby get a job. He told his Dad he never wanted to work at the phone company and he never wanted to be like him. By the end Bobby was thinking of working at the phone company and said he was wrong when he told his Dad that he did not want to be like him.

In addition, I also love the ending when they do find Bobby innocent. Everything the Hohnes went through was worth it because they accomplished what they intended: proving the innocence of their son.

Frankly, when you think about it, this movie is a little scary. Just thinking that someone could be blamed for a crime they did not commit because their name is similar to someone else's just blows my mind. Also, this movie is based on a true story which makes it even worse when you think about it.

This movie was a strong drama in every sense of the word and touched my heart more knowing it was a true story.

I rate this movie: 10

Blyss