Given that they show rape - as well as murder - in regular films and on TV even, the real question isn't whether it's okay to show rape, but whether it's okay to be entertained by it. In fact, given that the rapes in movies like "The Accused" are a part of the unfolding drama and thus a part of our entertainment in some sense, the question is even more pointed - is it acceptable to derive sexual pleasure from portrayals of rape?

The whole thing treads a fine, but possibly imaginary, line. We can experience catharsis from watching it and having sympathy for the victim, but we can't be aroused by it? I guess it's because we assume arousal has something to do with approval - if something arouses us, we want it to happen, or so the reasoning goes. So, if we're turned on by a rape scene, we must approve of or want rape to occur on some level... or so goes the argument against such things.

I'm not so sure. I think there's a place for channeling our dark impulses in a healthy fashion. We're not robots, we're animals - deep down in the creepy, unevolved portions of our brains, we WANT to brain the rival male, grab the attractive mate, and have our way with her. A real part of the human mind WANTS to do things that our society classes as "evil" on some level. But we know we can't. And we don't "really" want to, not on a conscious level. Should we be so skittish about relieving the subconscious tension in a way that doesn't hurt anyone? Enh... it's hard to say, but I'm inclined toward "why not?"