Men Don't Tell

1993 Directed by Harry Winer

This movie shows another side to spousal abuse that not too many people thought is possible--the husband being abused and the wife the abuser.

Peter Strauss Judith Light James Gannon Noble Willingham Stephen Lee Mary Kane Richard Gant Carroll Baker Ashley Johnson Cliff Bemis Nick Angotti David Correia Lynn Tufeld Judith Drake Susan Egan Robert Gallo Mitchell Binder Erik Rondell

95 mins More details at IMDb TMDb Report this film

Popular reviews

Review by Adam Waldowski ★★★★

There's astonishing nuance in this CBS Movie of the Week. Men Don't Tell's gimmicky premise, where Judith Light physically abuses her husband Peter Strauss, could come across all wrong. But it's a powerful commentary on machismo, where Strauss is mocked and called a liar by friends and family when he seeks help. Even a battered women's shelter thinks he's an insensitive prankster in a scene that's quite devastating.
Strauss shows considerable range, using his appearance as a mustachioed, undershirt-clad working class man to full advantage. Light has rarely been better than in a scene opposite Carroll Baker, as her domineering mother, that reveals a troubled and abusive childhood. It's compelling, intimate small-screen drama.
Review by Peter Spencer ★★★★

This film is a very good dramatic tale that raises domestic abuse that isn't always the man that's the thug.
My only worry is that I hope it doesn't happen to me!
Review by LesarDsic ★★★

While watching Men Don't Tell, the thought I had was that there was a kernel of better film inside it. I meant that what it did right, like the characterization and dynamic of the main couple and the exploration of the abuse, warranted a more nuanced and deeper examination by a better director beyond the boundaries of made-for-TV melodrama.
However, there were some things that weakened it like the framing device of the husband telling the cops about the abuse because it came across as unnecessary and slowing down the plot's momentum. I mentioned how it needed more depth in the conflict, because in one scene the husband is talking to this woman who the wife thinks is his mistress.…

Recent reviews

Review by Adam Arnold ★★★★

Turns out that men can be abused, too
It’s more complicated than that, though. Actually couldn’t believe the reception this man got while calling a shelter. Shame on them!
Actually a pretty great film for a made for TV movie. A lot of this can be credited to Judith Light’s stellar performance of both a violent neurotic and an insecure and caring wife.
Review by Peter Spencer ★★★★

This film is a very good dramatic tale that raises domestic abuse that isn't always the man that's the thug.
My only worry is that I hope it doesn't happen to me!
Review by amuttmonkey ★★★★

The lines are so cliche but that's what makes it real.
Although I see it as more of a problematic relationship than a film placing blame. There are so many reasons I think this but it all means different things.
The quality is bad and it plays out like a lifetime movie. The performances are normal because the situation is so normal.
"look what you made me do."
Review by LesarDsic ★★★

While watching Men Don't Tell, the thought I had was that there was a kernel of better film inside it. I meant that what it did right, like the characterization and dynamic of the main couple and the exploration of the abuse, warranted a more nuanced and deeper examination by a better director beyond the boundaries of made-for-TV melodrama.
However, there were some things that weakened it like the framing device of the husband telling the cops about the abuse because it came across as unnecessary and slowing down the plot's momentum. I mentioned how it needed more depth in the conflict, because in one scene the husband is talking to this woman who the wife thinks is his mistress.…
Review by Adam Waldowski ★★★★

There's astonishing nuance in this CBS Movie of the Week. Men Don't Tell's gimmicky premise, where Judith Light physically abuses her husband Peter Strauss, could come across all wrong. But it's a powerful commentary on machismo, where Strauss is mocked and called a liar by friends and family when he seeks help. Even a battered women's shelter thinks he's an insensitive prankster in a scene that's quite devastating.
Strauss shows considerable range, using his appearance as a mustachioed, undershirt-clad working class man to full advantage. Light has rarely been better than in a scene opposite Carroll Baker, as her domineering mother, that reveals a troubled and abusive childhood. It's compelling, intimate small-screen drama.