Miranda's Victim

Although everybody has heard about the Miranda warning, nobody really knows the background story about the circumstances that led to the enactment of this ruling.

Miranda's Victim presents the story from all sides: through the eyes of the attorneys, Miranda, and most importantly, his victim. Trish Weir's persistence in obtaining justice at a time where few women reported rapes is a crusade that still resonates today as women collectively find their voices to share their own sexual abuse stories in the ongoing MeToo movement.

This movie is not just a story. It sends a greater message to all sexual assault victims on how one brave voice can have such a profound effect on the American justice system.

This movie is an excellent dramatization of the impact of the Fifth Amendment which, among other things, seeks to protect an accused person from self-incrimination. It is hard to watch at times but covers an important aspect of the USA justice system.

Abigail Breslin is the victim, Trish Weir, starting when she was 18 in 1963 (coincidentally, I turned 18 in 1963) and going through her married, young adult life. She is excellent in what must have been a difficult role.

The criminal here is Ernesto Miranda (thus 'Miranda Rights' or 'Miranda Warning') who was only marginally educated and had been in troubles of various types starting when he was in grade school, his first conviction was when he was in the eight grade in Mesa, Arizona. This movie focuses on his kidnap and apparent rape of the 18 year old girl shortly after she got off the bus, coming home at midnight from her job at the movie house.

Interestingly the actual victim was Lois Ann Jameson but because it was agreed she would be protected went by the pseudo name Trisha Weir. Only later in life did she identified.

My wife and I watched it at home on DVD from our public library. As we both grew up and started college during that time it was nice hearing some old songs from the 1960s.

I guess Miranda's Victim had its heart in the right place and the acting was first rate for the most part but the movie tried to capture the 60's so hard it ended up coming off more like a 70's after school special.

The cinematography was excellent and some of the soundtrack worked but the story was an exercise in who cares-at least the way this writer told it. Could have been something special but the writer and director missed their opportunity in my opinion.

Maybe they delivered what they were trying to but for me it was overly dramatic way too much of the time and ended up feeling flat and falling flat on its face. Little suspense or drama. Sorry. So disappointed.

"Miranda's Victim" is a true story and is about the landmark case which brought the so-called 'Miranda Rights' to the forefront. I should mention that the case involving Mr. Miranda was a tough one to watch and talk about, as he kidnapped and sexually assaulted a poor lady. I mention this because it's important to know about this before you watch. If you've been a victim yourself, you might want to think twice about seeing the film. You also might want to have a loved one watch it with you.

Now I am not saying the film handles the subject matter poorly. I was actually VERY impressed that they didn't show much of the assault and it was clear to show how terrible doctors can be when they examine patients who have been attacked. I also appreciated the inappropriate way some folks handled this...such as the victim's own mother. It was not glossed over and these scenes might be best to be seen with some Kleenex nearby.

The story begins in 1963. A young woman is kidnapped and assaulted. While her mother wants her to be quiet and not tell the police, her sister insists and Trish talks to a police detective about the incident. The film follows the police work...leading ultimately to the arrest of Ernesto Miranda. What happens next and how they now name the police 'Miranda' warning after him, you'll have to see for yourself.

This film is truly terrific...hard to watch...but terrific. I cried and yelled quite a few times during the movie...a testament to the impact of the movie. It also did something very few movies do which are based on true facts...it stuck to the facts and really told the story well. As a result, it's probably the best made film about sexual assault you can watch...tough watching, of course, because it is made so well. Terrific acting, direction and, well,...everything.

By the way, this was Donald Sutherland's final feature film. While he's not the star, he was terrific as a judge and it's a wonderful career ending movie.

It's 1963. Trish Weir (Abigail Breslin) gets raped by Ernesto Miranda. It's a long bumpy road from there to conviction to the Supreme Court and back to trial again.

I've never considered this case despite the omnipresence of this legal precedent. Miranda is not even a person's name anymore. On a basic level, this movie is interesting information. The problem is the case itself. It makes one root against this important ruling. It does settle on Trish and her compelling journey especially after her marriage. It's a bumpy journey of a movie. It's probably a bit long at over two hours although I don't know what could be trimmed. I would definitely change the title. They probably want Miranda's name in the title, but I want Trish in there too.