Probably not as groundbreaking as one would expect but for 1985,it was definitely a subject that was never discussed yet happened a lot and not just because of a mans sexual orientation. Richard Crenna plays a straight cop with this macho attitude who thinks that rape victims bring it on themselves and even makes fun of them until he himself is raped by two men.
That's where the movie takes off as he deals with his hypocrisy. Fellow cops snicker behind his back, they think maybe he asked for it because of his actions. They may even think he is gay. His own father shuns him. And poor Joanna Kerns who plays his girlfriend gets abused by Crenna who throws her across the room and yells at her because It's hinted that for some time now he has taken advantage of her , Like showing up late for dates ,basically doing whatever he wants with her, so now he feels that she is a spineless victim who cant stand up for herself. Only after she's crying and leaves does he realize that he just took out his own insecurity about his manhood on her. Terrific performance by Crenna. Only negative is the part of the rape counselor portrayed by Meredith Baxter was terribly underwritten.
That's where the movie takes off as he deals with his hypocrisy. Fellow cops snicker behind his back, they think maybe he asked for it because of his actions. They may even think he is gay. His own father shuns him. And poor Joanna Kerns who plays his girlfriend gets abused by Crenna who throws her across the room and yells at her because It's hinted that for some time now he has taken advantage of her , Like showing up late for dates ,basically doing whatever he wants with her, so now he feels that she is a spineless victim who cant stand up for herself. Only after she's crying and leaves does he realize that he just took out his own insecurity about his manhood on her. Terrific performance by Crenna. Only negative is the part of the rape counselor portrayed by Meredith Baxter was terribly underwritten.