On B List of Movie Reviews
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Betrayed (1988)
Rate:
7
Viewed:
8/15, 1/25
8/15:
At least, Joe Eszterhas manages to keep the story calm for Betrayed.
Picking up where the trail left off from Talk Radio, it's an okay picture that's about a fringe terrorist group of
right-wing gun nuts who want to keep America as Christian and white as possible.
The description may sound funny, but it's true. Although the concept is interesting from the get-go, the novelty slowly wears
off. Trying my best to stay with the plot, I kept looking at the timer only to realize there was an hour to go and sighed
afterwards. Nothing much happens as I wait for the predictable showdown. Finally, it comes, but the ending turns out to be weak.
Tom Berenger, who could've been voted the Sexiest Man Alive in 1988, is perfect for the role. So is Debra Winger. Yet they're
emotionally limited. Hence, I've lost interest in their characters. Plus, Catherine's act of trying to quit from
time to time wears thin. What I hate the most is the unnecessary romance subplot between her and Michael. It takes too
much tension away from her tug-of-war between love and hate for Gary. Why can't Joe Eszterhas keep their relationship strictly
professional?
Also, the idea of the FBI agents wanting Catherine to keep going with her undercover work in order to find evidence is bizarre.
Obviously, they should set up shop nearby for surveillance work and plant agents around the town to gather intel or witness events
before filing charges for terrorism. It doesn't have to happen in the eyes of law because conspiracy is enough for lifetime
imprisonment under RICO. So, no...I'm not buying Michael's story.
All in all, despite having most of the right elements in place, Betrayed still needs more refinement.
1/25:
Raising my rating from '6' to '7', Betrayed looks better this time.
Director Costa-Gavras is known for making political films, starting with Z.
The subject of white supremacy militant groups in rural towns proved to be alluring for him, so he decided to
capitalize on what happened to Alan Berg, the subject of Talk Radio,
that's merged with the story of The Order led by Robert Mathews.
Tom Berenger may be the show as Gary Simmons, a totally normal-looking handsome family man with a messed-up
mind, but all the credit goes to Debra Winger for making the film suspenseful. While watching it, I
thought, "How is she going to get out of the situation?" At any rate, it's probably the most realistic
portrayal of what special agents deal with during undercover.
What bothers me the most is the idea of Katie as the only female going on these small and big missions with
Gary Simmons. Why her? How come the others aren't doing it, too? Will it be easier not to involve Katie by
having her stay home and take care of the kids so to keep her ignorant of Gary's double life? The other problem
is the final five minutes. There's no point to it, and the movie should've ended promptly after Catherine left
the room.
All in all, Betrayed is a well-made movie despite several far-fetched elements.