Unspeakable Acts (1990 TV Movie) User Reviews

Distressing Disturbed Depressing

[GeoPierpont · 6/10 · 8 March 2015]

I lived near the infamous McMartin Daycare and recall the controversy on the investigation, litigation, and long lived disparaging aftermath. I found it tedious and hard to find faith with the legal process. I was most relieved to find this story more redeeming. However, it is very hard to watch without many strong negative emotions.

If you have had experience with a pedophile then I suggest you avoid this film, unless you have been successful in therapy and the memories have a lesser impact. The child actors in this film are incredibly mature to portray victims with fear, shame and horror. I hope they were treated well during this agonizing process. Then, you realize there were the actual victims whom one hopes recovered from this abuse. I pray that they have.

When someone is so mentally ill, it is hard to pass harsh judgement, but it is necessary to prevent subsequent infractions and instigate laws to further protect future victims.

I found it very educational to see how a professional can wield a child's darkest secrets. A parent most typically is deficient in this arena and poses a detriment to find help and recourse for their child. We definitely need this process more widely discussed and distributed.

High recommend for strategies to deal with child sexual abuse, laws protecting child witnesses, and overall trust of due process for offenders.

Tough subject and poor quality

[mrwilson-41297 · 6/10 · 30 November 2022]

It's filmed horribly. Bad camera angles, laughable acting but the subject matter is so serious that it almost becomes a well intended PSA.

It's is absolutely worth a watch just for the dialog on suspicion on the subject.

A necessary film. But not going to win any awards. There are many failed scenes that could have been more powerful, and missed opportunities to streamline the story to be more memorable and effective.

Having said that I think this would be a very good film for new parents, or even victims of abuse or even perpetrators in prison.

Furthermore I think the film and acting is so poorly done is because no body else had the guts to cover the subject.

Good story but hard to watch

[raynaking0 · 6/10 · 31 May 2014]

Let me start by saying this movie was really good. I like movies that are based on true stories. Now it was very hard to watch. It's always difficult to listen to little children talk about sexual abuse and what was done to them. The thing that really irked me was the acting. It was terrible! I felt like I was watching one of those cheesy after school specials. You know the ones that tell you not to do drugs and stuff. The acting was so corny. And the guy with the stupid pony tail was the corniest of them all. The only decent actors were the small children. They do however warn you in the beginning that the movie is a dramatization but I still wasn't prepared. Overall I did enjoy the movie. I'll probably never watch it again though.

Heartbreaking and Disturbing. A must see for any parent

[Jnmarable1 · 7/10 · 26 August 2012]

I recently watched this on Netflix. So so sad and sickening. This upset me so much. Every parent should watch this movie. I am sure there are false allegations at times but every and I mean EVERY allegation of any type of abuse against a child should be so thoroughly examined to leave no doubt. Our children are far too precious. In these times we live in you can scarcely turn on the TV and not hear of some sort of crime against a child. It's frightening to hear it so often and is what makes this movie so disturbing. The fact that it did and can happen. Allegations of abuse should never be ignored or overlooked. I'm not going to give any details. I just wanted to say I consider this movie a must see. It will break your heart, sicken your stomach and make you very wary.

How NOT to Interview Children

[mkcoehoorn · 1/10 · 22 April 2019]

In the late 80s, this case was held up as the gold standard for child interviewing techniques. However, since the early 90s these same techniques have been debunked again and again. Child welfare agencies now say this is Exhibit B for how not to interview a child (with Exhibit A being the McMartin Preschool case).

If you want to learn more about working with abused children, watch The Boarder. Do NOT watch any movie based on a child abuse case from the 80s. They contain bad information about child abuse investigations.

one of the best lifetime movies i've seen

[fuzy_white_strawberries · 10/10 · 9 November 2003]

This was one of the best lifetime movies I've ever seen. It was kind of tough to watch, though. I was really impressed with the acting of the kids. I wondered if they understood what they were talking about. At the end of the movie they had a were they are now thing, so I'm guessing it was a true story, which makes it extremely disturbing.

Lifetime Schlock

[cockezville · 3/10 · 29 August 2020]

Dear Lord, what a horribly done film on child abuse. This production represents why Lifetime Movies get such a bad rap. This subject has been represented better since this time, but the direction, the melodramatic acting, the soundtrack is dismal. Brad Davis is horrible in this film and Jill Clayburgh looks embarrassed to be in this 1985 film. It is 35 years later so I have to give it a bit of a pass. But not much.

Excellent TV movie about difficult subject

[freebird-10 · 8/10 · 3 September 2001]

Unlike the McMartin trial, there are no questions here. These folks are pure and simple child molesters. A very good adaption from a very good, large volume, so kudos to the screenwriter for boiling it down. Clayburgh and Davis are great as child shrinks. Again, character drives the story of child molestation in a daycare home. See it and weep, and learn.

We must protect the innocence of children

[camilleemillymoore · 8/10 · 15 November 2020]

Omg this was so heartbreaking and raw and real. Children are so trusting in untrustworthy adults. Bc of this movie I know I'm at an older age of 32 years old. But thank god I got a degree in criminal justice when I was younger. I'm think about going back and going into social work to help children.