Synopsis

In a wealthy South Florida community, guidance counselor Sam Lombardo is accused of rape by two students from prominent families. Detective Ray Duquette suspects the allegations conceal a larger scheme involving money, revenge, and manipulation. As the case moves through investigations and court proceedings, shifting testimonies and carefully staged revelations make it increasingly difficult to determine who is victim, conspirator, or target.

Factoids & Trivia

• The screenplay was written by Stephen Peters, with Kem Nunn brought in to strengthen the film's character work, atmosphere, and sense of place.

• Production took place in South Florida from April 21 through July 16, 1997. Locations included Oleta River State Park, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, and Greenwich Studios in Miami.

• Filming in the Everglades was complicated by severe weather. A tornado nearly damaged several production trailers.

• During the filming of an outdoor river scene, a crew member noticed what turned out to be a real dead body floating in the water. Police were called, and the body was kept out of the camera's view until the scene was completed.

• Kevin Bacon, who also served as an executive producer, later said that the cast and filmmakers sometimes had to map out the story's chronology and shifting lies during rehearsals because the script contained so many reversals.

• Bacon also said that his full-frontal shot was not intentionally planned. He believed another performer would block the view, but the shot ultimately remained in the film.

• The theatrical release opened in the United States on March 20, 1998. Sony later issued an extended unrated edition on DVD in 2004.