After her prosecutor Kathryn Murphy, played by Kelly McGillis (At First Sight), cuts the three rapists a deal, since the defense has Tobias pictured as a "questionable character," Tobias forces Murphy to prosecute the guys who cheered them on.

The character of Murphy is very shallow, but McGillis does a good job of showing her growth. There is a moment where Murphy meets one of the cheerleaders in person and THAT's when she becomes loyal to Tobias' second case. Until then, it was about the numbers and how much of a slut Foster's character was.

The picture examines the law, as far as witnessing a crime and not stopping it, and encouraging a perpetrator to commit a crime, and THAT's what makes the material sing.

There is a mystery within the picture, as in, the viewer isn't totally informed as to whether or not Tobias initiated the sexual acts, or was raped from start to finish. When the truth is revealed, the picture also sends a clean message about being responsible and keeping oneself out of harmful situations. I appreciated how Tobias was given SOME fault over the events at hand, but in the end, "the law" prevails over the matter.

Foster won her first Academy Award® with this performance. Her Jersey-girl exterior was awesome, and she was definitely a late eighties hottie. She makes this picture the most enjoyable, without a doubt. Without her, the material wouldn't have been half as interesting.

Overall, the picture is somewhat political, but more importantly a look into a grey area many courts have had to deal with. The movie presents important statements, quality writing and solid acting. Go rent it. Jodie Foster fans will want to own this one. McGillis fans--if she still has any--will be more impressed renting "Witness."