Without Consent
Without Consent, also released as Trapped and Deceived, is a 1994 American made-for-television thriller film directed by Robert Iscove.[1] The story centers on Laura Mills, a rebellious teenager played by Jennie Garth, whose parents commit her to a private psychiatric hospital after she causes a drunk driving accident.[1] There, she encounters brutal patient mistreatment, including forced medication and physical abuse, prompting her to seek escape and expose the facility's unethical operations.[2] Starring alongside Garth are Jill Eikenberry and Eric McCormack as her parents, with the film highlighting tensions between parental authority and institutional overreach in mental health care.[1] Premiered on ABC, it drew attention for portraying real-world concerns about involuntary commitments and substandard care in psychiatric settings during the era, though it received mixed reviews for its dramatic intensity and pacing.[3]Synopsis
Plot Summary
Michelle and Robert Mills, a suburban couple, experience ongoing conflicts with their 17-year-old daughter Laura, whose rebellious behavior includes excessive drinking, truancy from school, and romantic involvement with an older boyfriend disapproved by her mother.[1][4] After Laura causes a car accident while driving under the influence on one night in 1994, her parents, advised by a psychologist, commit her involuntarily to the Meadowbrook Institute, a private psychiatric facility specializing in behavior modification for troubled adolescents.[1][5][6] At Meadowbrook, Laura encounters harsh conditions, including isolation, forced medication, and coercive therapies that prioritize institutional control over genuine rehabilitation, prompting her to question the facility's practices and resist its regimen.[6][7] Her brother and friends outside attempt to support her, while her parents initially defend the decision amid family dysfunction—marked by her mother's overcontrol and father's detachment—but grow doubtful as reports of abuse emerge.[7][8] Laura allies with other patients, uncovers systemic mistreatment at the institute, and fights legally and emotionally for her discharge, highlighting the absence of true consent in her commitment.[9] Ultimately, her persistence exposes the facility's deficiencies, leading to her release and a reevaluation of familial and institutional approaches to adolescent rebellion.[10][11]Cast and Characters
Principal Cast
Jennie Garth portrays Laura Mills, the central character, a troubled teenager whose parents commit her to a psychiatric institution amid escalating family conflicts.[1] Jill Eikenberry plays Michelle Mills, Laura's mother, who supports the decision to institutionalize her daughter in hopes of addressing behavioral issues.[12] Tom Irwin stars as Robert Mills, Laura's father and a physician, whose professional background influences the family's approach to her treatment.[1]| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Jennie Garth | Laura Mills |
| Jill Eikenberry | Michelle Mills |
| Tom Irwin | Robert Mills |
| Eric Close | David Mills |
| Johnny Galecki | Marty |
| Paul Sorvino | Dr. Winslow |