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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

‘I Know’ Fails To Go Beyond Rape Anguish

Faye Zuckerman New York Times Syndicate

Another in the series of “Crimes of Passion” movies, “I Know What You Did” (ABC Sunday at 9), has actually little passion. It’s as contrived as a “Diagnosis Murder” episode in which everyone is somehow connected to everyone else.

Rosanna Arquette stars as top attorney Stacey Keane, who specializes in getting date-rapists off. Her boyfriend, a police detective (Steven Eckholdt), has agreed not to discuss her cases with her so she doesn’t have to hear how disgusted he is over her choice of clients.

Soon Keane’s defiant everybody-deserves-a-defense attitude is dashed when she’s the next victim of a date-rapist. She accidentally kills the rapist and hides the murder weapon (a barbecue fork) and disposes of the body.

Arquette then spends half this movie showing much anguish, always shaking with guilt and crumbling each time her boyfriend asks, “Where’s that barbecue fork?” She practically stalks a rape-crisis center, where the staff treats her like a pariah.

Will she finally do the right thing and turn herself in?

You never know the true answer to this question because a blackmailer (Lawrence Monoson) who witnessed the murder starts bilking her for cash. Her motivation for confessing seems to be linked to running out of cash to pay the blackmailer.

As you might expect, the two hours culminate with Keane’s day in court, where Arquette delivers a passionate speech about feeling like she’s been put on trial twice - once as a rape victim and then as an alleged murderer.

The film falls short of examining how rape victims cope with anguish. Rather, it leaves you with a bad feeling about lawyers.

Highlights

“Figure Skating,” ABC tonight at 8: It’s the women’s finals of the U.S. Championships, with Tara Lipinski and Michelle performing triples and spins. Also, the pairs final.

“Profiler,” NBC tonight at 10: Motherhood receives attention when Louise Fletcher steps into the role of serial killer Jack’s mom and Michael Learned plays Sam’s mother-in-law.

A wounded Jack hides out at his socialite mom’s mansion and gets more than a home-cooked meal. Sam’s mother-in-law distracts Sam from work.

“Mad TV,” FOX tonight at 11: This knee-slapper of irreverent jokes spoofs LaToya Jackson. Beauty is debated in Farrakhan vs. Farrah.

“Wonderful World of Disney,” ABC Sunday at 7: Sinbad and Phil Hartman team up for the disastrous romp “Houseguest” (1995). The plot surrounds a likable con hiding from thugs in the suburbs.

“The People’s Choice Awards,” CBS Sunday at 9: The red carpet is rolled out for Whoopi Goldberg, this year’s recipient of a special tribute.

This annual awards show gives accolades to entertainers whom the public deems worthy. The winners are your choice, and host Ray Romano (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) hopes everyone will be satisfied.

Garth Brooks is scheduled to perform.

“Science Odyssey,” PBS Sunday-Thursday at 8: A five-part adventure of science and discoveries debuts. First up is a fascinating look at medicine.

This informative odyssey is not to be missed.

Cable Calls

“Pippi Longstocking” (1997), DISN tonight at 7: Gather up the young folks for this animated tale about a plucky 9-year-old (voice of Melissa Altro) who is up in arms over stolen gold. Her cranky neighbor (voice of Catherine O’Hara) isn’t helping matters but adds zest to this sweet little tale, based on Astrid Lindgren’s lovable heroine.

“Vegas Vacation” (1997), HBO tonight at 8: Chevy Chase offers pratfalls in another tale about the Griswolds. Aren’t we tired of their vacation madness?

“Body Count” (1998), TMC tonight at 9: Fine acting distinguishes this crime movie (thanks to costars Ving Rhames, David Caruso and John Leguizamo) from the usual by-the-numbers gratuitous violence tales we’ve come to expect in some cable movies.

The story follows a group of thieves trying to avoid the authorities while traveling from Boston to Miami to fence stolen art works.

“Mary Higgins Clark’s ‘Moonlight Becomes You”’ (1998), FAM Sunday at 9: Low-rent Agatha Christie whodunit serves up Donna Mills as a photographer-sleuth. She’s trying to find out who killed her stepmother and the reason for recent deaths at a retirement home, Latham Manor.

Every character is a suspect in this tale set in a big house in a small New England town. There’s rough weather at night and picture-perfect days.

Movie Marquee

“The Fugitive” (1993), NBC Sunday at 8:30: Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones turn the bigscreen tale of television’s Dr. Richard Kimble into a nonstop chase-action movie. Repeat.