Storyline

Francine Hughes (Farrah Fawcett) suffers the abuse of her husband, Mickey (Paul Le Mat), for almost a decade because she cannot find any help. When a drunken Mickey rapes her and then passes out, Francine pours gasoline over him and lights it on fire. In the ensuing blaze, Mickey dies and the house burns down. During Francine's trial, she testifies about her years of suffering, and her attorney, Aryon Greydanus (Richard Masur), tries to have her declared temporarily insane and acquitted.

Plot Keywords

wife, husband, attorney, daughter, son, mother-in-law, powerful, dark, emotional, gripping, michigan, family home, courtroom, spousal abuse, murder, self-defense, rape, trial, escape, revenge, 1970s

Short Review

A look into an abusive household and the people who know it's going on. It's hard to sympathize with people who continue going back to an abusive relationship and ignore the warning from friends or family, especially those who openly say "I prefer bad boys". I have great respect for those who don't stand for it. In this case it's a sweet woman who, ignoring warnings, plays into the hands of an abusive man. It always starts with small things, seeing how much they can get away with, and when the abused partner continues allowing themselves to be treated horribly the abuser keeps kicking it up a notch, and so on, until either side takes it too far.

Trailer

Streaming Service

1. Amazon Video : Rent from $1.99, Or $0.00 with a Prime membership