MovieChat Forums > Betrayed (1988) Discussion > Just watched this, observations

Just watched this, observations

posted 13 years ago by AfroGeek
3 replies | jump to latest

I liked it and don't think it warrants being buried in a hole like it seems to have been since it was released:

1. Debra Winger was HOT in this one, especially in the earlier scenes. This is probably her at her prime.

2. Very edgy, brave subject for Hollywood to take on the way this movie pulls it off. Note that about 6 years later we have the OKC bombing by White Supremacists which gives the movie that eerie feeling of prediction.

3. Lots of talent in this one from the kids to John Mahoney.

4. Speaking of kids, I love that scene with the little girl going on the racial rant in a cute voice with a disturbing lack of understanding of what she's saying actually means; following up with a "cow kiss" to top off her innocence. It says a lot about what Berenger is doing to his children and how the cycle will probably continue.

Yeah, maybe it doesn't survive the magnifying-glass test, but I found it entertaining. Even if you just want to ogle at Debra Winger (which usually gets me to watch any of her flicks I see on).

[–] vestdennis 12 years ago

Nobody teaches their kids to talk like this! Most have long ago taught their kids not use to use the N word. Our kids go to school with blacks and generally most of the black killings are black on black.

This movie was wholly inaccurate & if movie producers/directors stereotyped blacks like this the film would never get made!

[–] fidgee 12 years ago

The movie was released in 1988--whether you want to admit it, or not, there were (and are) children being brought up to say "the N word" and worse. Even children who are NOT brought up in such homes can develop strong, sometimes violent racist/prejudice/bias views--against any race/religion they don't regard as their own. It would be idealistic and naive to say there will never be complete equality/neutrality where race/religion are concerned--look at the Middle East.....there's been religious war and/or persecution since the beginning of time and there appears to be no end in sight.

One of the strongest lines in this movie is Rachel's line at the end:
"Reverend, this is America, she can do anything she wants".
That freedom STILL protects our right to express opinions/beliefs that may be contrary to others'.

[–] panson1 12 years ago

Hogwash! Movie was spot on...especially depicting the south in that time period; I've been down South (1980's) and indeed those words and racial attitudes were spoken and dripped off the tongues of old and young alike. Today, southerners are more careful about letting go with the epithets in public, but believe me a lot of the racist overtones and feelings remained......along with white supremacist attitudes maintained by the Klan and Tea Party groups...