Review of Betrayed

Betrayed (1988)
7/10
Decent and interesting political thriller with fine interpretation and compellingly directed by Costa Gavras
31 August 2020
A thought-provoking and intelligent film dealing with brooding and thoughtful issues . This exciting political movie revolves around a woman (Debra Winger) who begins working on a farm to discover a prime suspect , and gets to know the clean-living , good-looking owner (Tom Berenguer) . They get on well , and she also gets on with his children . He asks her to stay on when her job is ended . As the relation progresses , she must struggle to remain objective , but things go wrong . As she becomes romantically involved with a Midwest farmer , taking place a moral dilemma , as things are not what they seem , as he lives a double life as a white supremacist and she lives with a man who detests , fears but also loves .

A notable and rabid political thriller that begins with the Chicago killing of a controversial radio talk-show host by right wing extremists , relying for tension and suspense on a handful of attractive set pieces . This is an intriguing and attractive drama in which an undercover agent pretends to be an ordinary woman , simulating a masquerade in order to investigate a criminal case , only to find surprising revelation , entailing a backlash of grief , tension , pressure and violent deeds . However , relying heavily for the complicated loving relationship and on a handful of charming dramatic pieces , while offering an important analysis of various problems as bigotry , racism , anti-Semitism and violence . Nice performance from Debra Winger as an obstinate agent who eventually falls in love resulting in fateful consequences and adequate acting by Tom Berenguer as a handsome farmer , a widowed who results to be a killer racist . Most of the other interpretations are excellent , such as : John Heard, Betsy Blair, John Mahoney , Ted Levine , Jeffrey DeMunn , Albert Hall , Richard Libertini , and David Clennon.

It contains an evocative and moving musical score by Bill Conti , though composed by means of synthesizer. As well as atmospheric and appropriate cinematography by Patrick Blossier , being shot on location in Chicago, Illinois, Carmangay, Calgary , Bragg Creek, Alberta, Canada. The motion picture was compellingly directed by Constantin Costa Gavras . He is a veteran filmmaker with a long career, nowadays, he's directing still , including several provoking, political and engaging movies , such as : ¨Z¨ , ¨State of siege¨, ¨The confession¨, ¨The sleeping car murders¨, ¨Missing¨,¨Hanna K¨ , ¨Conseil de Familie¨ , ¨Betrayed¨,¨Mad city¨, ¨Amen¨ , ¨The axe¨ , ¨Le Capital¨ , ¨Mad city¨ , Arcadia¨, among others. Rating 6.5/10 . Above average . Admirers of Costa Gravas 's directorial work and political stances will want to see how the filmmaker realized this acceptable film . Essential and indispensable seeing . Well worth watching.
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