When He's Not a Stranger is a 1989 American made-for-TV crime drama film directed by John Gray and starring Annabeth Gish and John Terlesky. The story, a stark dramatization of "acquaintance rape," is about a college freshman who is physically and sexually assaulted by a controlling football jock, and addresses the ordeal that rape victims experience.
Background
When He's Not a Stranger was released amid a wave of TV shows and movies addressing rape. Specifically, the film addressed acquaintance rape, a depiction that scholars Carol Bohmer and Andrea Parrott called a "landmark."
The movie was originally to be broadcast on October 17, 1988 but was pushed to November 6th of that year because of coverage surrounding the earthquakes in Northern California.
Plot
At Woodward University, a football-oriented California school, Lyn McKenna is raped by her best friend's abusive, controlling boyfriend, football star Ron Cooper. Lyn is hesitant to reveal this information as she fears that doing so will create social backlash and worsen the aftermath of her experience. However, continued threats from Ron and his fellow football teammates drive Lyn to desperate action. She requests that the school hold a disciplinary hearing against Ron and ultimately demands that a district attorney prosecute.
Cast
Annabeth Gish ... Lyn McKenna
John Terlesky ... Ron Cooper
Kevin Dillon ... Rick
Kim Myers ... Melaine Fairchild
Stephen Elliott ... Attorney Foster
Paul Dooley ... Ben McKenna
Micole Mercurio ... Emily McKenna
Allan Arbus ... Judge Thomas J. Gray
John M. Jackson ... Woodward University Coach
Critical reception
When He's Not a Stranger received mixed reviews. USA Today called the film "schlock" composed of "hokey us-against-them scenarios." The Los Angeles Times, while acknowledging the serious subject matter, "criticized the film's "simple-minded characterizations and elementary insights." More positive were The New York Times, which said the film "maintains a surprisingly hard edge" and noted its treatment of class issues, and The Washington Post, which praised Gish's performance especially. New York also praised the performances.
Some reviewers found the film exploitative. A Philadelphia Inquirer op-ed wrote that the graphic scenes leading up to Lyn's assault "hardly serve an educational function," and argued that they were intended to boost ratings with salacious content rather than to raise awareness.
References
External links
1989 films
1989 television films
1989 crime drama films
American crime drama films
American television films
Films scored by Mark Snow
Films directed by John Gray (director) Films set in California Films set in universities and colleges Films about rape Crime films based on actual events 1980s English-language films 1980s American films Sexual assault in sports English-language crime drama films