Somehow I found myself going on a Lifetime movie binge. I had always been a fan - just never been able to watch them because I don't have cable, so I was happy to see they're on YouTube. I know some people think they're bad. And honestly, I agree with them. The acting isn't/wasn't exactly the best. The characters also defy logic by placing themselves in various kinds of danger. But overall, I like how they covered real world issues, which gives them more depth than Hallmark movies. The only downside to these films - and this is just my personal feelings - is depending on the subject matter, they can be quite upsetting to watch. The hardest ones for me are about eating disorders and domestic violence. I either have to watch the movie in pieces, or I just can't through it at all. No One Could Protect her is one that I managed to sit through, even though it's about a married woman who's raped when she's home alone.
Joanna Kerns is a convincing actress. She has you absorbed in the story in such a way that big name Hollywood stars don't necessarily do. I had tried to watch her in that horrible film Terror in the Family, but that was one I couldn't make it through. Her and Dan Lauria played parents whose teenage daughter (Hilary Swank) had violent outbursts whenever she didn't get her way. It just made me too anxious. I prefer her in this movie. Dan Lauria was in it as well. I thought she was so believable as a woman who had been violated and traumatized by a monster who's hiding in the neighborhood. You can feel her pain, anguish, and how she longs for a sense of normalcy after having her sense of security taken away. She completely owns the role of Jessica Raynor. Her husband (Anthony Denison) leaves town to go gambling with a friend. The man breaks into the house, drags her outside, and rapes her. What ensues is a string of sleepless nights, as her husband is frustrated with the police not moving fast enough to find the guy, so he stays up to catch him on his own.
It's a great (albeit difficult to watch at times) film. I just didn't understand why they never locked their front door. That bugged me. The sicko kept breaking into the house. You'd think after the 3rd or 4th time, it might dawn on her or her husband to lock the door before they go to bed? People do that for real, not locking their doors or windows because they live in a small town, so they figure it's safe and there's no need. I always found that to be such flawed thinking. I also thought it was an awful idea that she continued to be in the house alone even after the rape happened. Just because her sister lived down the street didn't mean she was safe. It would've been more logical to have someone stay with her. But then again, that's Lifetime movies for you.
Jessica and her husband's relationship is very endearing. He's willing to stop at nothing to protect her, even if that means risking his own life. She also develops the strength to give herself protection, and started out terrified, but became fearless as the story progressed. It's a good movie for if you're bored and want something to watch that's not mainstream or generic.
*For anyone who experienced sexual violence, this film might be triggering*
