Product Details

• Actors: Jay Underwood, Allison Smith, Danny Quinn, Georgia Emelin, Kim Walker
• Directors: Douglas Tirola
• Writers: Douglas Tirola
• Producers: Douglas Tirola, Christopher Trela, Ged Dickersin
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Lions Gate
• VHS Release Date: April 16, 1996
• Run Time: 109 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303980082
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #289,290 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Well-Crafted Low-Budget Drama Deserves a Look..., January 20, 2006

By 

Benjamin J Burgraff (Las Vegas) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: A Reason to Believe (DVD)

1995's "A Reason to Believe" has gained notoriety over the years as the low-budget film where Holly Marie Combs, of "Charmed" fame, does a topless love scene. This is unfair, as the film, shot "on a shoestring" by first-time director Douglas Tirola, is a remarkably well-made, sensitive look at date rape, and the aftermath to both the victim, and those around her. Without resorting to either preaching or titillation, the film remains one of the better dramas of an issue that continues to plague college campuses.

The heroine of the story is young Charlotte (Allison Smith), a popular sorority girl, who, against the wishes of her boyfriend, Wesley (Danny Quinn, son of Oscar winner Anthony Quinn), attends a frat party alone, where she is raped by Wesley's best friend, Jim (Jay Underwood). As Jim brags of his 'conquest', Charlotte goes through a period of self-loathing and denial, until Jim's version destroys her relationship with Wesley, the friendship of her sorority sisters, and makes her an unwilling 'Cause' for the campus feminist group. Forced to take a stand, she finds her reputation smeared by Jim, his fraternity, and even her ex-friends, until the Dean ("Animal House" 'Neidermeyer', Mark Metcalf), calls in both parties to learn the truth...

While the fraternity scenes are more 'Delta House' than real, the chain of events rings true (Jim's girlfriend, so devoted that she'd rather lie about Charlotte than 'lose' him; Wesley's 'rebound' bedmate, played with conviction by Combs, becoming another victim of Jim's unwanted attentions). Even an eyewitness to the rape (Keith Coogan, great-grandson of Jackie) cannot come forward, as he is a 'druggie' who would not be believed, only arrested if he spoke out.

To Tirola's credit, he never permits the film to slide into melodrama, preferring to allow events to unfold naturally. The limited budget forces the film's resolution to be a bit rushed, and 'pat', but will still satisfy most viewers.

"A Reason To Believe" deserves praise for the quality 'look' it achieves (on a budget of under $200,000), the timeliness of the issues it addresses, and several outstanding performances. To remember it solely for a few moments of nudity does it a disservice!

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Reason To Believe, May 15, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Reason to Believe [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a basically good movie. I was disappointed that there was not an unrated version. There are scenes which have been edited out. If you buy a censored version (which the "R" version is), you've been cheated. The movie should be seen as the director filmed it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Women are from Venus, etc., June 25, 2007

By 

Sarah Bellum (Dublin, OH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Reason to Believe (DVD)

Is a young woman expected to have sex when she makes the decision to attend a party at a frat house, whether or not she maintains consciousness? Or, can she expect to be able to pass out anywhere, even among drunk and horny college boys, and remain unmolested? The film approaches this and other date rape situations with an earnest and fairly comprehensive examination of the subject from both male and female perspectives. This film brought back many memories of college life for me. Even though I had not taken part in Greek life at THE Ohio State University, I vividly recall many discussions of this sort. This, coupled with the fact the film was shot entirely in Ohio, my home state, drew me into the film probably more than it deserved to do. I enjoy watching Allison Smith, and I also wanted to see Kim Walker (of "Heathers" fame) in one of the too few roles she graced before tragically passing away in 2001. This is not a great film, but it is certainly worth seeing at least once. Unfortunately, the DVD is full screen only and has no subtitle options. The transfer is pretty clean and crisp, however, and there is some bonus material as well.