Jaded (1996)

See along with The Accused

I own this movie and am never disappointed by repeated viewings. It is is not, however, a film for everyone. It is stark and ugly in the vein of The Accused in its depiction of a twist on a rape trial. There is very poor character development here, but of course how much can you manage in 2 hours? There was much attention paid to the development of one of the rapist (the actress's name escapes my memory but she also appears in the fabulous "The Intern"), but the other rapist is left as just a nasty bully motivated by, um, nastiness? I love the performance of the main character and her reaction to the rape. However, there are flashbacks that elude to a past that is horrifying but none of that is fully developed and thus only distracts from the true plot line.... same for her relationship with the vaguely introduced best friend/potential lover/mainstream drop out??? Who is this guy anyway??? Again there is a lot of extraneous material here, but the basic story will draw you in and is highly entertaining.

I like this movie despite how my review might read. I think the concept is good if not well developed and there are a couple great performances (the main character and the defense lawyer and investigator, along with the bar owner). I may have an attration to this film because of the fact I am a lawyer and the interesting twist the way the local law is written affects the plot, but I think a layman can appreciate this fact as much as I can. I sincerely hope this is *not* based on a true story and if it is,I hope the laws have been re-written to clearly reflect the dilemna faced by both the detective and the victim here (Note: the detective is Tony Soprano's sister in a bit over the top, but nonetheless effective role).

It is well worth a watch if nothing else, but if you are a fan of indie character films as I am, this is one for your collection. March 3, 2003

this movie is not a sex romp

to tell you the truth, i mean thats what i expected to, i mean just look at the girls on the cover(though i want to make one thing clear, the 2 on the cover are models used for a cover, they are not the actors in the movie, the girls in the movie are on the back in the black and green tinted picture of them all dancing, though the large photo on the cover is carla gugino "meg"), "BUT" there is also blood on the cover, is there not. Its about a girl named Meg. A strait girl. Shes had a rough night and wants to go to the bar for drinks with her friend. She ends up going stag and meets up with 2 girls named pat and alex at "jacks" a local bar. jack introduces pat and alex to meg and they buy her a drink. What she believes to be a fun night with the girls is actually a meditated sadistic rape being planned out. They go to the beach together to skinny dip and they sense she may be bi curious and decide to use that against her and they cut her up, rape her and leave her for dead. for the most part this movie is prep for their trial. See a while back women couldnt be tried for rape in the first degree. it didnt exist in legal terms, only sodomy in the first. it follows her throuought the process of trying to get justice.
its a great movie. i wouldnt be rating it if i didnt think so. February 17, 2003

Not what the box says it is

I had this movie given to me, and have to admit, I am glad that I did not pay money for it.

The back of the box makes it seem like some kind of sex triangle, with 2 women trying to seduce her. But the reality in this movie is far from that.

In reality, the main subject is the victim of a vicious and sadistic rape by the two other characters. There was absolutely nothing in this that I found interesting at all.

Even movies like Silence Of The Lambs and Wild Things (which the box tries to compare this movie to) were riveting, because of the unexpected turns and suspense.

But Jaded has none of this. It concentrates on the rapeists and the sick relationship with the boyfriend of one of them. And the persuit of a videotape that may prove the victims story is true.

While it does show that same sex rape is possible, it is not a movie worth watching.

If at all possible, pass this movie up at all costs. November 5, 2002

The Aftermath of Rape

A strange movie about a particularly horrific rape, JADED unnecessarily plays up the male-oriented eroticism associated to rape and voyeurism as the woman's victimization is show progressively over a series of disjointed flashbacks. Interestingly enough, the rapist(s) and victim are both female, also feeding into another series of male fantasies. The conclusion is rather forced and, sadly, unclear ... leaving the viewer wondering about the true consequences against those who perpetrated the deed. Certain scenes, particularly of the rape sequence, are not for the light-hearted. May 10, 2002

Unwatchable

Apparently, things like pacing, character development, suspense, and logic are no longer required. September 30, 2001

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