This tough courtroom drama is pretty hard-hitting for a made-for-television film and a damning indictment of the plea-bargaining system of rough and ready justice served by overworked American courts. Forest Whitaker plays a man accused of and identified as the man who robbed and violently assaulted a prostitute. Despite protesting his innocence, his criminal record weighs against him and he is offered a shorter sentence in return for a plea of guilty. Should he accept that or go for a full trial with much of the evidence against him? Whitaker, who played jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker in Clint Eastwood's 'Bird', gives a powerful central performance. He is given strong support by Anthony LaPaglia as his lawyer and Jennifer ('Dirty Dancing') Grey as the assistant District Attorney. A biting script and sharp direction by Andy Wolk lift this well beyond the usual television movie.


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