Review of Betrayed

Introduction

We can`t have racist ideas influencing and damaging our neighbours and children. White Supremacists would have you believe that this country [insert your country here] is being run into the ground because the Jews/Asians/blacks etc. have control in the banks, government and police. Let`s rid them all and take back control. This is not an alien ideology and I get the impression from Betrayed that this is something quite a few American`s subscribe to.

Debra Winger is the undercover FBI agent assigned the task of bringing in Tom Berenger, who is reckoned to be part of an extreme group responsible for the death of a controversial Jewish radio presenter. Can she do her job effectively without falling for the charms of this good-looking cowboy and his sweet family, or will she do the job she has sworn to do and protect her country? These are the conflicts that she has to face, though I get the distinct impression she`s still in short pants when it comes to undercover work.

Video

Presented with a 1.85:1 letterbox transfer, Betrayed doesn`t look too bad. This is an 80s movie and doesn`t bristle with colour, preferring instead to hold back on anything wild. For a non-anamorphic transfer the quality of the video isn`t bad; it lacks the detail one comes to expect from newer releases but it won`t stop you from following the story. Minimal dirt and no signs of compression or other artefact.

Audio

Crystal clear English Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack, with a few other languages chucked in for good measure. The sound is free of hiss or distortion and comes from the front without any use of the surrounds that I could notice. There`s a lot of dialogue so this is well represented.

Features

This is an MGM back catalogue title so count yourself lucky to get a trailer, copious subtitles and a few language audio tracks.

Conclusion

The pace of the film is too slow for my liking and after just one hour I was dismayed to see another hour remaining. I could have watched it in one sitting but I thought the idea of sleep was far more interesting than the rest of this film. That pretty much sums up my feelings on Betrayed. It`s a story that`s been told hundreds of times and has nothing new. It`s a product of the 80s, it looks like it, it sounds like it, and I`m sure it`s been on television a few times since it was made. It`s not a film that dates well.

Performances are okay though direction doesn`t hold any surprises for the audience. Even the scene with the nighttime hunt of a black youth was droll. While it`s never pleasant to see the Klu Klux Klan in action, the racist undertone is never shouted above the story`s dull and predictable storyline. It simply isn`t dramatic enough, so when you get to the limp ending you know that that`s all the film has to offer. Tom Berenger is too much of a nice guy to be a white supremacist and Debra Winger as the undercover agent is instantly forgettable.

This is an average story. Undercover agent gets too close to her quarry and falls in love having to betray the suspect while remaining loyal to her cause. Don`t forget to put in a little anguish in there somewhere because you`re falling in love with the guy you`re trying to arrest. Yawn. Watch it on TV if you insist.