Related articles and links |  1 of 5

Bishop T.D. Jakes' Woman, Thou Art Loosed began as a novel and then became a stage play. Now, Jakes himself has a role in the big screen adaptation of a story that reflects his investment in ministering to wounded women. The film, directed by Michael Schultz, opened in only 408 theatres, but drew a large enough audience to surprise the industry and place sixth in the box office top ten over the weekend, earning $2.3 million.

Kimberley Elise, who had a supporting role in the recent remake of The Manchurian Candidate, plays Michelle Jordan, a young woman who suffers from abuse, addiction, and poverty, and ends up in prison for taking retaliation into her own hands. Jakes plays himself, visiting her on death row.

LaTonya Taylor (Christianity Today Movies) says, "In many ways, the film raises the questions it hopes local churches will answer. Indeed, it's clearly designed to open discussion on these questions, and to provide materials to encourage churches to discuss sexual abuse (such resources will be posted on the movie website)."

To caution audiences, she adds, "Because of the graphic depiction of sexual abuse, this film is not for children or squeamish audiences. The presentation, too, requires an attentive audience due to the rapid flashbacks and flash-forwards. Yet … the film presents a challenging message: People are often at their lowest point of woundedness when unresolved pain spills over into poor choices and criminal behavior. And as a church, we need to take the time to listen to them, to learn their stories, and to point them toward grace and forgiveness."

David DiCerto (Catholic News Service) says it's "a potent and soul-inspiring drama about the healing power of forgiveness. [It] deals with difficult subjects—including sexual molestation and murder—though in a way which challenges viewers of faith to take seriously the Christian imperatives of love and reconciliation."

Regarding the actors, he says, "Elise delivers an emotionally penetrating performance. Jakes … has a presence to match his sizable frame, and exudes a sincerity which is both charismatic and consoling."

Reviews from mainstream critics range from high praise to harsh criticism, so that it's hard to believe they've seen the same film. But most agree that it might have done better with a little less "self-promotion" by Jakes. Dave Kehr (The New York Times) says the movie "renews an important tradition of African-American filmmaking: the movie as revivalist sermon, a genre epitomized by Spencer Williams's magnificent Blood of Jesus of 1941."

Robert DeNiro. Martin Scorsese. Peter Falk. Angelina Jolie. Will Smith. Jack Black. Renee Zellweger. It's a list of names like that would make most moviegoer guess we were talking about a film for grownups, most likely one about gangsters.

And it's not a bad guess. Shark Taleis full of references to The Godfather, GoodFellas, The Sopranos, and other mafia-oriented flicks, which has provoked some complaints that the film reinforces unflattering Italian stereotypes for a young audience. DreamWorks has packaged their latest animated feature as a family film, but according to most film critics the movie deals out drama and humor more accessible for adults than children. As to whether or not it's worth the price of a ticket, they're swimming in different directions.

Mary Lasse (Christianity Today Movies) gives the film only one star, saying the movie "seems promising … for about ten minutes. But, that's it. The rest of the film … has zero depth and isn't really all that funny or charming. It's actually quite depressing to see the filmmakers try so hard to be the next Nemo, resulting in an emptiness that pervades the film and a severe lack of connection among the characters—and between the characters and the viewer."

next page... |  1 of 5

share this page

October (Web-only) 2004, Vol. 48