Patty Hearst (1988)

Rating: N/A

Dir: Paul Schrader
Star: Natasha Richardson, William Forsythe, Ving Rhames, Frances Fisher

[2] For those of you too young to remember, Patty Hearst was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army and held to ransom. She was next seen helping her kidnappers rob a bank. Finally, the FBI caught up with her and she was sent to jail, though she is now free. This film is based on her book – surprise, surprise, she comes up smelling of roses! It was all the evil SLA’s fault because thet brainwashed her, raped her and were generally nasty to her (I remain unconvinced she wasn’t just a rich bitch out for kicks). Paul Schrader directs with a severe lack of lustre – the first half an hour or so seems to take place in a cupboard, which isn’t very exciting. Only in odd moments does the pace or the acting rise above the pedestrian.