This is a true story that will break your heart. It might not be the best produced but it certainly will hold your attention. A normal teenage boy is out with his parents on a restaurant, nowhere close to a crimescene. Through a series of stupid policework and power corruption he is pointed out as the criminal and thrown into a world of misjustices, misinterpretations and selective evidence gathering. The heart gripping aspect of the storyline is that if this could happen to that boy, it could happen to anyone. Noone more unlikely to have committed the crime could have be found and still he was charged, like a scapegoat brought out to bring justice. The movie is also a psychological lesson in how a victim's eyewitness testimony overrides all common sense and evidence. Like all true stories you can't be sure it is going to end alright. See it for yourself.
5 Reviews
Great film about a very persistent woman who fights for justice to clear her son's name
zacneeds25 October 2006
This is a powerful drama based on real life events. Maggie Stutter is shocked when her teenage son Eric is incriminated for the brutal assault of a neighbour. Even more so when he is actually convicted of the crime. She sets out to clear her son's name with the help of top lawyer Dan Pendleton. Her job as a pediatrician's assistant becomes jeopardised in the ensuing turmoil. It also affects both Maggie's relationship with her long-suffering boyfriend and that of her son with his girlfriend Donna, played by Michelle Williams of Dawson's Creek fame. As the film develops the 'good cop, bad cop' method of investigating the case takes on more sinister proportions. With the District Attourney under pressure to provide a conviction, the victim is persuaded by the police to give eye-witness testimony in an effort to convict Eric. This provides the basis for the prosecution's case and is a shocking example of how power can be abused.
The Legal Eagle
lavatch9 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
There was a substantial dose of melodrama in "My Son Is Innocent," including a wild scene in the courtroom that descended into chaos with an outrageous verdict. Eric, the teenage son of Maggie Sutter, was falsely convicted of assaulting a neighbor and sent to prison for fifteen years. It will now take the dedicated mom to rectify a miscarriage in justice.
The film was well-constructed and well-acted, especially with the mom played by Marilu Henner. Maggie was relentless in her dedication to justice and the truth. She also had a good support system from her selfless boyfriend David. But it was primarily the drive of Maggie who became the legal eagle fighting a corrupt system.
An honest neighbor, who recognized the ineptness in the detective who would not even take notes on her statement, was also a contributor to the pursuit of justice. A local reporter also jumped in to help with Maggie's personal crusade when she located the name of a prime suspect.
The filmmakers successfully balanced the narrative of a major lapse in the judicial system with the personal commitment of mother in a well-scripted melodrama. The central character tapped into her inner resources to become a very special legal eagle.
The film was well-constructed and well-acted, especially with the mom played by Marilu Henner. Maggie was relentless in her dedication to justice and the truth. She also had a good support system from her selfless boyfriend David. But it was primarily the drive of Maggie who became the legal eagle fighting a corrupt system.
An honest neighbor, who recognized the ineptness in the detective who would not even take notes on her statement, was also a contributor to the pursuit of justice. A local reporter also jumped in to help with Maggie's personal crusade when she located the name of a prime suspect.
The filmmakers successfully balanced the narrative of a major lapse in the judicial system with the personal commitment of mother in a well-scripted melodrama. The central character tapped into her inner resources to become a very special legal eagle.
A little intriguing TV movie, albeit anti-climatic.
OllieSuave-0072 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This is a little intriguing made-for-tv movie, where teenager Eric Sutter (Nick Stahl) is accused of a vicious attack on a woman after she identifies him, but his mom and boyfriend try to prove his innocence.
The journey toward innocence is mixed in with the neighbors turning against them, and the arrogant and corrupt police investigators who hinder the case. This all give the movie a fast-paced plot and gripping drama that is puts a focus on the flaws of the legal system, and the importance of a news reporter exposing these flaws and the ineptness of law enforcement (not every day you see heroic efforts of those in the media).
However, the movie does suffer from an anti-climax, as we don't see those responsible for the crime be brought to justice.
Grade B.
The journey toward innocence is mixed in with the neighbors turning against them, and the arrogant and corrupt police investigators who hinder the case. This all give the movie a fast-paced plot and gripping drama that is puts a focus on the flaws of the legal system, and the importance of a news reporter exposing these flaws and the ineptness of law enforcement (not every day you see heroic efforts of those in the media).
However, the movie does suffer from an anti-climax, as we don't see those responsible for the crime be brought to justice.
Grade B.
Marilu Henner number one again.
pops-919 November 1999
I have yet to see Marilu Henner play in a bad movie and this is no exception. She would stand out in a crowd of 100,000. She does in this movie. Regardless of how beautiful or intelligent others are around her, she seems to out do them in all aspects.
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