The Ladies Club (1986)

Good concept, poorly executed.

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

I own this movie and I remember going to see it when it came out. A female cop gets raped by a gang of punks who's lawyer gets them off with a slap on the wrist. This cop is then approached by a lady doctor whose young daughter was attacked and killed by a pedophile. The women form a support group for women who have been sexually assaulted or abused. Within the group the doc and the cop along with other "hardcore" members decide to take matters in to their own hands. With the cop's help, they track down sex offenders and take out their own "special brand" of justice. It was sooo much fun to watch all the women in the theatre cheering the ladies on and watching all the guys slink down in their seats giving their girls covert looks. You could just hear them thinking: Would she?? Remember, this was in the days BEFORE Lorena Bobbit. I think it's a great movie especially for the tongue-in-cheek neo feminist set. If you can find it (try half.com), it's a great movie for a "man bash" session. Just invite your girlfriends over and open a bottle of merlot and have some laughs.

Actually, this film was ahead of its time...I was working in a video store when it came out on video. I don't think it ever went to the big screen. Although it is rather violent (with due intent), this is really a great film for women and by women. We are forever the victims of crimes such as rape. This film just goes to show that if women finally banded together and fought back, woe be to MEN who think that they can get away with violating us like that! It also shows what ramifications can happen with citizens try to take the law into their own hands. Yes they will get punished, but is it worth it? YES! The Ladies Club was definitely on a low budget, I think it could have been done much better, but it is still worth seeing. It is tragic but the viewer (if sympathetic) can feel vilified by the actions these women take. The initial rapists, in a few scenarios, are set free by our court system, as does happen in real life. For those men, they put out their own brand of 'justice' and it is justified. Too bad that it is now hard to find on video and never seen on TV in re-runs. Oh well.

This, like ENOUGH, starring Jennifer Lopez, and others dealing with abuse issues are movies about what many women feel about wrongs done, and are a good way to work through the anger without actually having to go to jail for "acting out!" I am waiting for this one on DVD.

Too bad no one knows of this film. A group of rape victims, angered over the lack of justice in their respective cases, go on a vigilante spree, capturing repeat sex offenders and castrating them. If only the country could embrace this message, what a wonderful world it would be.