Art mirrors life

What makes this film especially relevant is the current Congressional sex scandal, in which members of the Religious Right have suddenly realized they have been duped by self-serving politicians. In the film, the District Attorney uses the political influence of the local fundamentalists to maintain his hold on power, and he gives some help in covering up their malfeasance. Yet, his veneer of self-righteous piety is just a cover for his self-serving and corrupt ways. The break in the case comes when the fundamentalists realize they have been used and they give valuable information to the hero of the story. The film shows the unholy alliance between religion and politics, and how truly devout people may be caught up in machinations of unsavory characters. Perhaps members of the Religious Right should watch this film and come to an understanding of how they have been manipulated all these years.