Annabeth Gish is one of the truly gifted young actors around and it is a pity she's not that well known. She has a vulnerability to her that is quite captivating and this film is a prime testament to that. I have seen this movie about ten years ago for the first time and it struck a chord with me. It is sensitive,intelligent and very mature in its handling of a difficult subject. It's not one dimensional and it doesn't choose the obvious solutions. It's powerful in a quiet sort of way, and features a strong performance by Paul Dooley as Gish's compassionate father. Gish who came to prominence after Desert Bloom and Mystic Pizza has rarely been given such a good part in the years ahead,which is a great shame. She deserves as much recognition as her Mystic Pizza co star Julia Roberts. Watch this film and I'm sure you'll agree.
9 Reviews
sad but very realistic story of what can happen to rape victims
medic249a25 January 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I rented this on VHS several years ago and after seeing some news stories on shows such as 20/20 and NBC Dateline, I was disturbed to see so many parallels between the real situations of date-rape victims and this film.
Annabeth Gish is an excellent actress; she was very effective as Lyn, a stand-up pre-med student who is determined to assert her rights despite the pressures of her best friend, the school's athletics department, and even its administration! John Terlesky was also effective as the loathsome Ron - a man who genuinely seemed to have no conscience. Annabella Price was good as ADA Rumson, who decides to prosecute Ron to send a message to the university that they cannot protect rapists on campus.
Several aspects of this TV film were especially disturbing because of the parallels I had learned about through the news. The most glaring was that the university administration leaped to the defense of its star athlete, even taking disciplinary action against Lyn on frivolous grounds to exact revenge for bringing a complaint against their football star. What was even more appalling was when Lyn's dad met with the university chancellor, and he hinted that unless Lyn dropped the complaint, she would not receive favorable references to medical school! Another thing that made my skin crawl was the football coach trying to bully Lyn into silence, and then perjuring himself in court when questioned about it.
This TV film shows just what 'date rape' can really be about. It should be required viewing for senior high-school & college students.
Annabeth Gish is an excellent actress; she was very effective as Lyn, a stand-up pre-med student who is determined to assert her rights despite the pressures of her best friend, the school's athletics department, and even its administration! John Terlesky was also effective as the loathsome Ron - a man who genuinely seemed to have no conscience. Annabella Price was good as ADA Rumson, who decides to prosecute Ron to send a message to the university that they cannot protect rapists on campus.
Several aspects of this TV film were especially disturbing because of the parallels I had learned about through the news. The most glaring was that the university administration leaped to the defense of its star athlete, even taking disciplinary action against Lyn on frivolous grounds to exact revenge for bringing a complaint against their football star. What was even more appalling was when Lyn's dad met with the university chancellor, and he hinted that unless Lyn dropped the complaint, she would not receive favorable references to medical school! Another thing that made my skin crawl was the football coach trying to bully Lyn into silence, and then perjuring himself in court when questioned about it.
This TV film shows just what 'date rape' can really be about. It should be required viewing for senior high-school & college students.
Excellent TV Movie Deals With A Serious Issue
Noirdame7931 July 2005
Warning: Spoilers
"When He's Not A Stranger" really sums up the ordeal that rape victims experience, and it aired at a time when sexual assault on college campuses was hitting headlines.
Annabeth Gish's performance as Lyn McKenna, who is raped and brutalized by her best friend's beau, football player Ron (John Terlesky)is what really makes this film. She is lured into his dorm room thinking that her friend, Melanie will be there, when in fact, it's just her and Ron, who has her trapped and forces himself on her, asking her after the attack, "How was I?"
We watch as Lyn goes through the turmoil of her ordeal, showering, not talking to anyone, trying to avoid Ron, which is a teensy bit difficult as he is the boyfriend of her friend and roommate.
When she finally tells another friend, played by Kevin Dillon, she slowly begins to break her silence, confiding to her parents, Melanie (who refuses to believe it at first) and finally she tells the school administration, who basically wants to sweep it all under the rug, since the perpetrator in question is the star of the college football team. She finally takes him to court, all the while he protests, "Why are you doing this to me? What did I do that was so bad?" The creep doesn't think he's done anything wrong, which is the attitude of most of these offenders, unfortunately. She even finds a kindred spirit in one of her classmates, who, as it turns out, went through the nightmare of violation but was too scared and embarrassed to take any action. To make a long review shorter, she wins the case.
This movie should be aired often, and even shown in post secondary institutions. The sad fact is, it can happen anywhere. People need to be aware.
Kudos to the cast and crew of "When He's Not A Stranger" for bringing the story to life and raising this very important and ongoing issue.
The silence needs to be continually broken.
Annabeth Gish's performance as Lyn McKenna, who is raped and brutalized by her best friend's beau, football player Ron (John Terlesky)is what really makes this film. She is lured into his dorm room thinking that her friend, Melanie will be there, when in fact, it's just her and Ron, who has her trapped and forces himself on her, asking her after the attack, "How was I?"
We watch as Lyn goes through the turmoil of her ordeal, showering, not talking to anyone, trying to avoid Ron, which is a teensy bit difficult as he is the boyfriend of her friend and roommate.
When she finally tells another friend, played by Kevin Dillon, she slowly begins to break her silence, confiding to her parents, Melanie (who refuses to believe it at first) and finally she tells the school administration, who basically wants to sweep it all under the rug, since the perpetrator in question is the star of the college football team. She finally takes him to court, all the while he protests, "Why are you doing this to me? What did I do that was so bad?" The creep doesn't think he's done anything wrong, which is the attitude of most of these offenders, unfortunately. She even finds a kindred spirit in one of her classmates, who, as it turns out, went through the nightmare of violation but was too scared and embarrassed to take any action. To make a long review shorter, she wins the case.
This movie should be aired often, and even shown in post secondary institutions. The sad fact is, it can happen anywhere. People need to be aware.
Kudos to the cast and crew of "When He's Not A Stranger" for bringing the story to life and raising this very important and ongoing issue.
The silence needs to be continually broken.
An awesome movie to point out reality in schools.
JoJo-3117 December 2001
I first heard of this movie when I saw it in the TV Guide, but I never did see it until last night. I've been wanting to see it because I've seen John Terlesky perform on an episode of "Walker, Texas Ranger" and have been wanting to see a movie with him in it. Well, it turned out to be this one. This movie was awesome and it does point out a few things that are true about reality in schools. Terlesky plays an all-star football player who rapes his girlfriend's childhood friend. Well, nobody, except the rape victim's parents, believe her and they don't want to prosecute Ron Cooper (Terlesky) because of his heroism in college football and the popularity that he has brought to the college. The reality of this is, that people who are popular in high school and college, preferably football players, tend to get away with everything and nobody cares what they do just as long as they bring popularity and joy to the schools, which is most definitely wrong. A great movie to watch and to learn from about what life is possibly like when you cross paths with a football player.
Very Well Done
MichaelMovieLoft21 October 2003
I saw this back in 1989 when it premiered on TV. It was supposed to premiere around the same time as the World Series but was moved postponed when the San Francisco earthquake happened. It stars the beautiful Annabeth Gish as a young college student named Lyn, who is in love with a college football star Ron. Ron also takes an interest in Lyn, but is dating her best friend. One night, Ron is invites Lyn into his dorm and decides to rape her. When she tries to defend herself, Ron is protected and Lyn is disciplined for drinking. So the next step is court.
This was made around the time the term "date rape" became a buzzword. It was very realistic as it showed how the victim is affected, but the impression it gives to her peers (especially if the accused is the big man on campus), and the families struggle to deal with a one sided system. The ending is unexpected, but it works well. The performances are great all around and you really feel that is was based on a true story, even if the story itself is just a screenplay. It is still a very well written screenplay.
This was made around the time the term "date rape" became a buzzword. It was very realistic as it showed how the victim is affected, but the impression it gives to her peers (especially if the accused is the big man on campus), and the families struggle to deal with a one sided system. The ending is unexpected, but it works well. The performances are great all around and you really feel that is was based on a true story, even if the story itself is just a screenplay. It is still a very well written screenplay.
a glimpse into the real treatment of rape victims
matahari19684 March 2002
This film provides us with a glimpse into how rape victims are really treated. This film is an illustration of what goes on behind the scenes, and how it is the victim that is really put on trial not the guilty. When a sports star commits a crime, he is held above reproach, and those who would dare to "tarnish" their good name are treated like villains instead of the victims they truly are. Schools should keep in mind that it would be far more beneficial for the guilty to be prosecuted than to cover up the crime and risk discovery of the truth and face a litany of legal action.
Very Realistic Portrayal Of Rape And Its Impact
Clusium14 December 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Lyn McKenna attends Premed, at a university in California, on a partial scholarship, along with her best friend since childhood(they are, or course, roommates). Her best friend hooks up with the MVP of the university's football team, and before long, she introduces him to Lyn. Ron (Lyn's best friend's boyfriend) initially tries to befriend her, and she considers him a really nice person. One night, she returns late to the dorm, after attending a medical seminar, and is accosted by Ron, who tells her that the friend is on her way to his apartment for coffee, and that she should join them. When they arrive, her friend is not there. It turns out, that the friend was actually sick, and Ron lied about her coming. When Lyn tries to leave, Ron prevents her, and throws her on his bed and rapes her!! In shock, she keeps the attack to herself, until a friend from class asks her is happening. She gradually breaks her silence and proceeds to press charges. While she has support from her friend who she first confided to, a guidance counsellor, a girl from class, and her own parents, Ron along with his teammates(one of whom befriended Lyn, like Ron originally did), his coach, Lyn's best friend, and even the school administration all oppose her. Although the DA agrees to prosecute Ron, she is very pessimistic about the outcome of a criminal trial, and takes the plea bargain Ron's lawyer offers. Finally, the judge sides with Lyn and sentences Ron to 6 months in jail.
Fantastic Performance!
lisacheerio_8514 February 2003
I was a little hestitant about this movie, because there are so many ways movies such as these can go wrong. Hardly the case with this absolutely stunning performance. The casting was superb and Annabeth Gish was amazing as Lyn McKenna, the victim of acquaintence rape who took the risk and brought the offender to justice. I've only noticed Annabeth Gish, granted, since her appearance in The X Files over the last year and a half, however since then I've had the pleasure of seeing *several* of her other movies and am amazed at how an actress can be so undervalued. Her work is stunning; she puts so much emotion into her characters and strives to make them one hundred percent believeable. I can't wait to see her upcoming projects! This movie was confronting and inspiring, especially for young women such as myself and my friends - there should be more like it.
Not just another rape movie
Willow19229 December 2001
When you see the title of the movie and read the synopsis you would think that this would be another one of those lifetime type movies where the woman doesn't get raped until the middle of the movie and the rest of the movie is about her crying and whimpering until she goes to court and tries to convict him within the last 5 minutes.
Well, I decided to watch on because it was summer time and nothing was on. I remembered seeing Lyn's friend in a movie on lifetime called "Gone in the Night" and I know Annabeth Gish from "The X Files" and "Desert Bloom." I'm glad that I watched it because it was incredibly enjoyable.
Annabeth Gish plays Lyn McKenna and she is going to a good college, I believe on a scholarship. Her best friend also goes to school with her and is going out with a popular jock. One night she meets up with the man at his dorm because she thinks that her friend Melaine is going to be there. But it turns out that he had set all of this up just so that he could rape her. She goes to the school but they don't believe her. And the football coach and his team scheme to set her up so that the football player doesn't take the fall. But even with all of these elements against her, she fights.
The movie could have been an absolute disaster. But to my surprise it was very good. The story was very believable and fun to watch. I'm glad that she didn't turn away and the whole movie wasn't about her crying over what had happened to. It really showed you how women in rape cases are treated. Them being called stupid by the cops. Being asked what they wore on that night and practically blamed for something that really wasn't their fault to begin with.
Annabeth Gish is a wonderful actress. She shined in her first real movie which was "Desert Bloom" and really made me care about the character that she played. She is one of the only actresses that I know that can cry and really seem like she's crying. The guy who raped her who's name is unknown by me also did a great job. And Lyn's male friend was also a great actor even though he strikes me as looking like a grade a creep.
Don't take this movie as being some kind of lifetime rip-off. It actually has something to offer you and isn't boring either. There are also some surprising
Well, I decided to watch on because it was summer time and nothing was on. I remembered seeing Lyn's friend in a movie on lifetime called "Gone in the Night" and I know Annabeth Gish from "The X Files" and "Desert Bloom." I'm glad that I watched it because it was incredibly enjoyable.
Annabeth Gish plays Lyn McKenna and she is going to a good college, I believe on a scholarship. Her best friend also goes to school with her and is going out with a popular jock. One night she meets up with the man at his dorm because she thinks that her friend Melaine is going to be there. But it turns out that he had set all of this up just so that he could rape her. She goes to the school but they don't believe her. And the football coach and his team scheme to set her up so that the football player doesn't take the fall. But even with all of these elements against her, she fights.
The movie could have been an absolute disaster. But to my surprise it was very good. The story was very believable and fun to watch. I'm glad that she didn't turn away and the whole movie wasn't about her crying over what had happened to. It really showed you how women in rape cases are treated. Them being called stupid by the cops. Being asked what they wore on that night and practically blamed for something that really wasn't their fault to begin with.
Annabeth Gish is a wonderful actress. She shined in her first real movie which was "Desert Bloom" and really made me care about the character that she played. She is one of the only actresses that I know that can cry and really seem like she's crying. The guy who raped her who's name is unknown by me also did a great job. And Lyn's male friend was also a great actor even though he strikes me as looking like a grade a creep.
Don't take this movie as being some kind of lifetime rip-off. It actually has something to offer you and isn't boring either. There are also some surprising
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