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Reviews
Miranda's Victim (2023)
Miranda's Victim: A Story That Sits With You
'Miranda's Victim' is a story about a courageous young woman Trish Weir, who in Phoenix, Arizona in 1963 was kidnapped and sexually assaulted. Not wanting to afford her attacker Ernesto Miranda opportunities to assault other women, she pressed charges with assurances that her name would never be disclosed by the press.
Nearly 60 years later, co-producer and co-writer George Kolber found Trish and obtained her permission to make a film about her story. It was released 60 years after her attack.
This film also expertly and dramatically depicts the events that led to the landmark 5-4 U. S. Supreme Court decision in Miranda v. Arizona in 1966 that instituted what we know as Miranda rights. In announcing the Supreme Court's decision, Chief Justice Earl Warren said, "Prior to any questioning, the person must be warned that he has a right to remain silent, that any statement he does make may be used as evidence against him, and that he has a right to the presence of an attorney, either retained or appointed."
This is a story that sits with you for days and perhaps for months.
Throughout the film, I found myself on the side of Trish Weir and newly aware of the struggles that rape victims suffer, even 60 years after the events depicted in the film. I also didn't know the origins of Miranda rights and the fact that it was widely held in 1963 that law enforcement didn't have to tell a suspect they had a right to have an attorney present during any questioning.
The film was well researched, written, and directed. The amazing ensemble cast led by Abigail Breslin brought the story to life with performances beyond what we have come to expect from these uber-talented actors. Production designers brought us squarely into the 1960s, aided by the music supervisors whose song selections from the 1960s and 1970s added some nostalgic contrast to the depiction of the important true events. Holly Amber Church's score was well spotted and brought emotional weight at the right moments.
Michelle Danner, a film and stage director and a world-renowned acting coach, gave this true story the treatment it deserves and created a work that should be seen, considered, and discussed.
Bobcat Moretti (2022)
Compelling and Authentic
Rob Margolies' 'Bobcat Moretti' is a compelling film telling the story of an obese MS patient (played by Tim Realbuto) who finds his way to his late father's gym and begins training as a boxer. Along the way, we learn that he has suffered immense personal tragedy in his life and is struggling to find a way to deal with it and achieve balance and inner peace.
The screenplay was artfully written by Rob Margolies and Tim Realbuto and tells Bobby 'Bobcat' Moretti's story with authenticity, transparency, empathy, and grace. Tim's performance is stellar. He actually lost 154 pounds during filming over the course of a year. He truly became Bobby Moretti as he dug into the role.
The film features a large cast in supporting roles. Standout performances were given by Vivica Fox as the no-nonsense gym owner Joanne 'Jo' Wallis, Sheria Irving as the tough fellow boxer Lacy 'Boots' Harris, Jay Hieron as a celebrated boxer Tony Pinto, Matt Peters as Bobby's brother Charlie Moretti, Taryn Manning as Bobby's sister-in-law Debra Moretti, and Louis Mustillo as trainer Carmine.
Cinematography by Andressa Cordeiro was expertly and artfully executed. Fight sequences choreographed by stunt coordinator Jay Hieron were well done and very realistic. Editing by Taylor Brusky created the right pace for the film and supported storytelling very well. The score by Ilan Rubin perfectly supported and elevated an already amazing film. Source music selected for the film was perfectly paired and included tracks by composer Ilan Rubin, such as "Sweet Kind of Suffering" and "You Can Be (Whoever You Want to Be)" played during the end credits.
In short, this film elevates the human spirit and is well worth watching.