November 1, 1992
DEATH AND THE MAIDEN
Screenplay by Rafael Yglesias, Play by Ariel Dorfman
Synopsis by Brian Aldrich
In some revolution-plagued South American country, PAULINA ESCOBAR waits nervously for her husband to return home. She reaches for her gun when a strange car pulls up to her front door. Her husband, GERARDO ESCOBAR, 40, and a stranger, DR. ROBERTO MIRANDA, 40's, exit the car. Paulina is relieved. Apparently, Gerardo's car tire had gone flat. His spare was flat. Roberto stopped to assist Gerardo and wound up driving him home. After Roberto leaves, Paulina and Gerardo argue about whether or not he is going to accept the new President's appointment of him to head the Civil Rights Committee. Gerardo reveals that it is merely a do-nothing position. Suddenly, Roberto returns. He is returning the flat tire left in his car. Gerardo invites Roberto in for a drink. They talk politics. Roberto is a big fan of Gerardo's political activities. The two men get drunk. Paulina overhears their conversation. She sneaks out of the house and drives off in Roberto's car. She drives it off a cliff. She returns to the house and pulls a gun on Roberto. Apparently, Roberto is the cruel enemy doctor who raped her fourteen times when she was a prisoner during the revolution. Roberto denies the charges. Gerardo tries to bring sanity to the situation. Secretly, Paulina confides in Gerardo that all she wants is a taped confession; otherwise, she will kill Roberto. Roberto convinces Gerardo that he is innocent. Gerardo coaches Roberto on what to say in his false confession. Paulina catches on to them and freaks out. She is about to kill Roberto when Gerardo gets his call in to confirm Roberto's alibi. But, Paulina freaks out again and claims his alibi was faked. Roberto finally confesses. She lets him go.
Summary Criticism: While there are moments of intense drama, this story is basically contrived and predictable.
Death and the Maiden (1994) - imdb
Death and the Maiden (1994) - wiki
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