Verdict In On 'Miranda's Victim' And 'The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial'

HOLLYWOOD, CA — This weekend, two courtroom dramas dominate the movie landscape. One showcases one young woman’s resilience and determination to face her perpetrator while the other shines a light on one man’s fight to restore his honor and dignity.

"Miranda’s Victim” is a Patricia Weir biopic starring Abigail Breslin as 18-year-old Weir, who was brutally raped in 1963. Her chilling experience triggered a landmark case that would change the course of America’s judicial system.

Fans of military courtroom dramas can check out William Friedkin’s final film before his recent death, “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial.” The movie stars Jake Lacy as a naval officer facing a court-martial for mutiny.

Check out what we thought of the two films below.

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“Miranda’s Victim”

Abigail Breslin, Donald Sutherland, Andy Garcia; directed by Michelle Danner

A staple of every police procedural of the last half century, audiences are familiar with the 'Miranda Rights.' Starting with the 'right to remain silent,' these are the rights of criminal suspects to refuse to answer questions or to provide information to law enforcement or other officials. But have you heard of its origin?

Michelle Danner’s biopic, based on the life of Patricia “Trish” Weir, delves into a landmark case that led to the compulsory reading of “Miranda Rights.”

Abigail Breslin plays the role of Trish, an 18-year-old woman who is kidnapped and brutally raped in 1963. Determined to get her perpetrator, Ernesto Miranda (Sebastian Quinn), convicted and locked behind bars, the traumatized-yet-determined young woman faces Miranda in court — not once but twice within three years — reliving the hellish assault she experienced.

What ensues is a legal proceeding that will trigger a historic moment in the nation’s justice system.

See it.

A story of courage, resiliency and determination, “Miranda’s Victim” is riveting to the core, anchored by the magnificent performances of the ensemble cast and Danner’s rock-solid storytelling.

“The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial”

Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Clarke, Jake Lacy; directed by William Friedkin

William Friedkin — the late filmmaker who blazed the silver screen with movie greats like “The French Connection” and “The Exorcist”— adds one final film to his lasting cinematic legacy, gifting us with a courtroom drama that is adapted from Herman Wouk's play, "The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial."

The legal drama tells the story of Lt. Stephen Maryk (Jake Lacy), a naval executive officer who faces a court-martial for mutiny. His skeptic JAG lawyer, Lt. Barney Greenwald (Jason Clarke), opens the movie with a pronouncement that he thinks Maryk is guilty as charged when he took over the command of the minesweeping ship, The Caine, from Lt. Commander Phillip Queeg (Kiefer Sutherland). However, Maryk did the rebellious act out of concern and safety for everyone aboard the vessel when Queeg began to show signs of mental instability during an unforgiving storm.

Now, Maryk’s career and life are at stake, and rest in Greenwald’s hands. Can Maryk and Greenwald prevail when doctors have already certified that Queeg does not have any mental illness whatsoever?

See it.

“The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial" feels too stagey at times, but it is gripping, nevertheless. Friedkin’s famous adroitness in storytelling is undeniable in this single-set courtroom drama.