150 Greatest Movie Performances Of All Time

Part Five (30-1) - In Association With Xbox "You're In The Movies"

By Total FilmDec 19th 2008

18. 14. Jodie Foster - Sarah Tobias, The Accused (1988)

Foster was in the career doldrums when she convinced Jonathan Kaplan to cast her as the gang-rape victim who finds herself getting more blame in the courtroom than her vicious attackers.

And she repaid his gamble in Oscar spades – although she thought she’d blown it (“I’m so sorry I ruined your movie,” she told the director).

No need to fret: Foster nailed the role of the good-time girl who hangs out in seedy bars, drinks too much and dances provocatively.

But it was showing Sarah’s bruised, churning anger and inarticulate frustration where Foster truly shone, revealing the dignity, courage and soul of the woman behind the bimbo.

Greatest Moment: Sarah wrenchingly recounts the brutal back-room assault in the witness box.

Also see: Iris Steensma (Taxi Driver), Clarice Starling (The Silence Of The Lambs).