So many generations grew up with the advice not to judge a book by its cover. The same is true of movies; so when you come across an artless title like Betrayal of Trust, don’t skip before checking to see it’s the gem from director George Kaczender.
The 1994 TV movie written by Barbara Noel, Kathryn Watterson, and Suzette Couture features the real-life ordeal suffered by Noel at the hand she trusted most – her therapist Dr. Jules Masserman. For years, Masserman administered a hypnotic drug during select therapy sessions to let her sleep and remember nothing when she woke up. But one day, she woke up earlier than expected and saw her doctor sexually taking advantage of her. She decided to go public with it and sue him even though she was told that it was next to impossible to prove it in the court.
Betrayal of Trust wastes no moment of screen time to fluff. The story of Noel, played by Judith Light, covers the full range of her trauma and quest for justice while working at the same time on her inner healing. Judd Hirsch plays the eminent, and disgraced, psychotherapist Dr. Jules Masserman and Betty Buckley fills the role of Dr. Jan Galanti, the kind and honest psychotherapist who helps Noel discover the older suppressed wounds that were partly responsible for her victimization at the hands of Masserman.
Kaczender’s adaptation of the real-life Noel’s novel into this movie is a work of realism showing the shortcomings of contemporary modern societies where bringing an offender with a prestigious name to justice is still next to impossible. Yet, it’s a golden lesson in courage that also exposes the dark side of the medical-psychiatric-legal complex.
Notwithstanding the corny title, Betrayal of Trust is a great inspirational movie featuring real and relevant woman power on the screen. A must-see for all!
