IN HER DEFENCE

Canada, 1999, 95 minutes, Colour.
Marlee Matlin, Michael Dudikoff, Sophie Lorain, Daniel Pilon.
Directed by Sidney J. Furie.

In Her Defence is a popular psychological melodrama, a story of love and betrayal, of a man being framed by a shrewd murderess and her accomplice.

The film stars Marlee Matlin (Oscar for Children of a Lesser God) who appeared in a similar kind of role at the same time in the telemovie, When Justice Fails. She carries off the double character of the devoted woman as well as the cold and calculating murderer. Michael Dudikoff is best known as an action star and it is a bit disconcerting to see him playing a high-powered attorney. The film is a Canadian production, filmed in Canada in St John, New Brunswick. The director is Sidney J. Furie, a Canadian who spent the 1960s in England and made a number of significant films, went to Hollywood and was particularly successful during the 1970s with such films as Lady Sings the Blues. He has continued making films from the 80s through the 90s and onwards.

1.The popularity of this kind of psychological drama? Love and betrayal? The court case?

2.The Canadian settings, the city of St John, New Brunswick? The atmosphere of the city, the visuals, the buildings, the landscapes, the sea? The musical score?

3.The framework of the film: Robert St Laurent and his talking into the tape recorder, his description of the perfect murder, the ingredients, the situation, characters…? His final comments on the human factor and errors?

4.The focus on Andrew Garfield, the high-flying lawyer, the clashes with Robert and with Debra? The past antagonism? His ambitions? The scenes in the gymnasium, the boxing, the rivalry with Debra? Her taking him to the art exhibition? His admiring the painting, his meeting Jane, the attraction, seeing her husband’s treatment of her? His sympathy, going to the house, the beginning of the affair? The threats from the husband, his arrival? The self-defence, shooting him? The repercussions for himself and for Jane? Getting rid of the body – and the autopsy not being able to pinpoint who did the murder?

5.The character of Andrew, his decision to defend Jane? In the courts, Robert and Debra and the cross-examinations, the various witnesses? Character witnesses? Jane’s mother and her alienation from her daughter, the change of name, the daughter and the ambitions to marry well? The producing of the financial adviser, the phone calls, his expenses, the revelation of fraud? His being blamed for the murder? Andrew and his handling of the case? While carrying on the relationship with Jane? Supporting her during the case?

6.Jane, her deafness, the sign language, her speaking, lip-reading? Andrew and his explanation of knowing sign language? Her marriage, the financial arrangements, her inheriting the money? Her husband dying rather than the divorce for her to get the money? In the court, her listening and reading the signs? Her support of Andrew?

7.Debra, her friendship and support of Andrew? Her support of Robert?

8.Frank, his indebtedness to Andrew because of his alcoholism and reform? His getting information, Andrew refusing it? The irony of its turning up after Frank’s death in the mall, shot at the sound of the balloon bursting? The information about Debra and Jane?

9.The prosecution having extra evidence, withdrawing the charges, Jane going free? The prospects for the future? Andrew uncomfortable?

10.Andrew, the information, Debra and Jane, going to the house, finding them together? Jane and her declaration that she really loved him? Debra and her explanation of the conspiracy, taking him to the exhibition, judging that he would go right through with the relationship? Setting up the times, the phone calls for the husband’s return? Changing the guns? Shooting Frank?

11.The finale, Andrew charged with conspiracy? The two women and their arrest? Robert’s comments about what had happened? A satisfying psychological thriller?