| John |
While the vast majority of "docudramas" on network television tend to give a distorted view of the issues surrounding domestic
violence and provide little educational or theoretical tools to analyze, correct and stop such a complex phenomenon. "Rape and
Marriage:The Rideout Case" is an exception to the rule. It was made before television had mastered the art of making a tv movie in a
triumph over tragedy form. Rape and Marriage makes the point that rape within marriage was actually legal until 1980 at the end of
the film in a post-script. Rape and Marriage:The Rideout Case is a timely drama set around the famous 1978 Oregon vs Rideout
court case. It marked the very first trial involving a woman charging her husband with rape. In this made-for-television drama,
Mickey Rourke cleverly depicts John Rideout, the man who was accused of marital rape and spousal abuse while legally wed and
living with his wife and their young daughter In 1978. John Rideout was the first man indicted for the sexual assault of his own wife.
In this, his third and final 1980 made for network television movie, Mickey Rourke's portrayal of John Rideout proved he had more
than what it took to be recognized as "leading man" material. "Rape and Marriage" was made before television mastered the
art-form of the triumph over tragedy format, but the exceptionally believable acting abilities of both Rourke and Linda Hamilton as
Rideout's wife Greta are outstanding..especially for a network television drama. The Rideout trial proved to be a famous court case
that made history by making rape within marriage illegal in 1980 as it states in the film's post script. However, John Rideout was
acquitted on all the charges filed against him. A short time later he was jailed for harassing his wife.
violence and provide little educational or theoretical tools to analyze, correct and stop such a complex phenomenon. "Rape and
Marriage:The Rideout Case" is an exception to the rule. It was made before television had mastered the art of making a tv movie in a
triumph over tragedy form. Rape and Marriage makes the point that rape within marriage was actually legal until 1980 at the end of
the film in a post-script. Rape and Marriage:The Rideout Case is a timely drama set around the famous 1978 Oregon vs Rideout
court case. It marked the very first trial involving a woman charging her husband with rape. In this made-for-television drama,
Mickey Rourke cleverly depicts John Rideout, the man who was accused of marital rape and spousal abuse while legally wed and
living with his wife and their young daughter In 1978. John Rideout was the first man indicted for the sexual assault of his own wife.
In this, his third and final 1980 made for network television movie, Mickey Rourke's portrayal of John Rideout proved he had more
than what it took to be recognized as "leading man" material. "Rape and Marriage" was made before television mastered the
art-form of the triumph over tragedy format, but the exceptionally believable acting abilities of both Rourke and Linda Hamilton as
Rideout's wife Greta are outstanding..especially for a network television drama. The Rideout trial proved to be a famous court case
that made history by making rape within marriage illegal in 1980 as it states in the film's post script. However, John Rideout was
acquitted on all the charges filed against him. A short time later he was jailed for harassing his wife.
L.A. Times critic, Howard Rosenberg wrote of the "powerfully unconventional performance delivered by Mickey Rourke as 'John
Rideout', the unsympathetic, weak and violent wife abuser.
Rideout', the unsympathetic, weak and violent wife abuser.
| This character synopsis was written by Kathy Thompson feedback is greatly appreciated. |
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