Touches You

Nice effects though.

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

"Betrayed" has a gripping start but for a while after that it seems like it's not up to much (maybe because the trailer gives away too much of the plot)....gradually it emerges as a disturbing, thought-provoking and emotionally complex (even the title is ambivalent) political thriller. This may be Joe Eszterhas' weightiest script ever, though it does require major suspension of disbelief at some points. Costa Gavras directs with old-fashioned efficiency (the "hunting" sequence is harrowing), and the two leads, especially Tom Berenger, give their roles more dimensions that you might expect from reading the basic outline of the plot. All in all, it's a flawed but underrated movie. **1/2 out of 4.

This disturbing movie of Costa-Gavras reminds me about the closely named episode of the X-Files (5.18) in which Mulder like Debra goes undercover to dismantle a right wing militia (and it's also the proof that this show had really incredible quality !). In a way, Costa could be the European Spielberg as the two can tell strong, political story on the level of the common people and without any propaganda. Here, the militia members are totally crazy and criminal but if most of them are really devious, a few and the kids are just lost souls. The same can be said about the law enforcers : some does a clean work but others can't see that they push the limits and that they use Debra against her will. In that way, Debra is similar to Diane in « NYPD Blue » in which undercover mission is indeed a kamikaze one.What's frightening is that this movie is from the 80s. As seen in a sequence, it was a time when Internet wasn't there. You can see that the militia is using a rudimentary network with Amiga computers to chat together and it's also a computer printout that will be the trigger of the showdown. So you can imagine what happens now in those circles ! I got an hint with « American History X » but those kind of movies are rather not the kind of drama and cop movies nowadays. At last, it's also a 80s movie as the cast has also more talent than those today and it's a bit sad that we can't see anymore Debra or Tom Berenger now.

I have watched this film several times. I usually avoid Costa-Gavras because he is left-wing and I have no truck with left wing ideals and socialist/commy doctrines. But, politics aside, this film is interesting plot and character-wise. I have read most of the comments from others on this and of course most of them are from left-wing liberals who rant on about racism and middle America etc etc. That was of course most predictable. The title of the film is "Betrayed". And this is what is interesting. How Debra Winger, masquerading as a farmer manages to betray the kindness of Tom Berenger towards her. Little by little she enters into his private life and he is taken in by her. And it is very painful for him when she reveals her real identity. The film is very entertaining and there is never a dull moment. True, there are some violent and unsavoury scenes but these are not overdone. I have great admiration for the character of Tom Berenger - very sensitive to Debra Winger and a man of traditional family values, standing up to anyone he does not agree with, including Klu Klux Klan members and Nazis. His character is actually quite complex and while the liberals will predictably denounce him as a racist, it's actually a little more complicated than this. This is a typical European left wing liberal view of Americans and should not be taken too seriously by the Americans themselves. Indeed the most Obnoxious character in the film is not Berenger but Katie's FBI boss, Michael. I was really hoping this man would die during the film but alas it was not to be so.He was a really evil character who was using Katie for his own ends. In addition the actor playing him really had a mean face !! My main interest then in the film is the love relationship between Katie and Gary Simmonds as well as the tune "the devil's right hand" which is actually the French title of the film.

In Chicago, the host of a controversial radio talk show Sam Kraus (Richard Libertini) is assassinated in the garage of his building by the terrorist group Z.O.G. – "Zionist Occupied Government. FBI agent Catherine Phillips (Debra Winger) is assigned to work undercover in a rural area to investigate the prime suspect Gary Simmons (Tom Berenger) using the identity of Katie Weaver. Katie meets the family man and widower Gary, his mother, his son and his daughter, and she believes he is innocent and they fall in love for each other. Gary trusts on Katie, proposes her and discloses the truth about his separatists and bigot friends and himself to her. Katie lives a dilemma and asks her superior Mike Carnes (John Heard) to be taken off the case because of her feelings. Mike insists and Katie is divided by her love and her duty, leading to a tragic consequence.The thriller "Betrayed" is still impressive nineteen years after its release. The story is ahead of time, showing terrorism inside North America thirteen years before the tragic September 11th. In 1988, Iraq was allied of United States of America and Iran was the enemy. Sam Kraus foresees in his show that in the future Iran would be allied of USA. Director Costa-Gravas disclose a story with drama, romance, thriller and action through two needy characters: the agent Catherine Phillips is orphan, lives alone, and when she meets the family of her suspect she can not believe that he is a criminal. Gary Simmons is a honest man, disclosing his world to his beloved mate. This conflict of emotions and feelings leads to a sad and pessimist conclusion. My vote is eight.Title (Brazil): "Atraiçoados" ("Betrayed")