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B- |
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N/A |
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N/A |
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| Direction: |
D |
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B+ |
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The Title Says It All
by John (movies profile)
May 10, 2008
This documentary begins with devoting time to both sides of this issue to try to do justice to its complexity. It theme seems to be some sort of post-modern notion that there are no absolutes, no right or wrong with this issue. This of course leaves the only answer to be to leave the decision up to the woman. Through a veneer of objectivity it leads ironically to this absolute position.
The lack of objectivity is betrayed in the way the pro-choice voices are framed in unflattering close-ups. Their voices are made to seem ridiculous and ignorant.
Most of the voices in the film are expressing opinions, prejudices, and rumor. The interview style mimics a documentary, but it is really only documenting people's point of views rather than any real data about abortion. As I think back, I can recall very few facts about abortion presented by this film. It presents autobiographical data about people.
There is a fascinating shift early in the film. While talking about the Catholic Church's stance on pro-life suddenly the topic shifts to groups that target abortion doctors for murder. Suddenly the pro-life position and Christian religion is represented by this very small group of people.
The rest of the film focuses on detailed accounts of every murder of an abortion doctor. This film obstensibly about the issue of abortion turns into a memorial to the heroic efforts of those who are trying to keep abortion safe and available to women and the villainous murderers who target them for harm.
In the mean time, Christianity is subtly painted with the same brush. The title of this film tells it all. I thought it was an odd title. But it reflects how this movie tries to rescue the flaws of the pro-choice position by setting up a strawman opposition of folks who speak in terms of apocalyptic Christian ideas and think they know exactly who is going to heaven or hell.
Finally, this movie wore me out. The editing is practically non-existent. It is way too long, and it is a mystery how they decided what to include where. It lasts longer than 2 hours, and yet the content seems able to fit in a film of about half that length.
There are some compelling visuals and moments in this film that do justice to this issue. So this film is not a total waste. In fact the very beginning (before the shift to talking about abortion doctor murderes), and the final part are the best parts. Just skip through the rest. |
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