Review of Eye for an Eye (1996) by Leena L — 22 Aug 2011

Karen McCann (Sally Field) is happily married to Mack (Ed Harris) and has two daughters, 17-year-old Julie (Olivia Burnette) (from Karen's previous marriage) and six-year-old Megan (Alexandra Kyle). She lives in a nice house in Santa Monica, California and has a good job in a museum.

However, her world is shattered when Julie is violently raped and murdered. Detective Sergeant Joe Denillo (Joe Mantegna) assures Karen there is enough DNA evidence to help catch the killer. He also encourages her and her husband to seek counseling.

At a support group they meet people in similar circumstances, including Albert and Regina Gratz (William Mesnik and Rondi Reed), and Sidney Hughes (Philip Baker Hall). During the meeting, Karen overhears Albert talking to Sidney about something which alarms Regina.

The next day Denillo tells Karen DNA tests have revealed the killer as Robert Doob (Kiefer Sutherland), a delivery man with a criminal record. At the trial it is clear Doob is guilty, but because the defense was promised, but did not receive, a sample of the DNA to perform their own tests, the judge (Armin Shimerman) dismisses the case. Karen and Mack are dumbstruck as Doob walks free.

Mack is desperate to return to a normal life, but Karen cannot stop thinking of Doob. She finds that he lives in a flophouse, then keeps detailed records of his movements, stalking him. After observing Doob while he is urinating on a customer's lawn after a delivery she goes to Denillo - but he tells her there's no evidence of intent. Karen attempts to warn the delivery customer, but the woman only speaks Spanish and does not understand her.