Woman Thou Art Loosed

Woman Thou Art Loosed
by Michael Schultz

Woman Thou Art Loosed
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DVD Cover Information

Actor: Clifton Powell, Debbi Morgan, Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine, Michael Boatman
Director: Michael Schultz
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 97 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-03-08
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Movie Reviews of Woman Thou Art Loosed

Movie Review: An imperfect but honest film
Summary: 3 Stars

A gut-wrenching and raw drama, "Woman, Thou Art Loosed" is a sobering experience. This tragic story is told in flashback by a young woman, Michelle Jordan, who's in death row and being counseled by real-life evangelical preacher, Bishop T D Jakes. As a 12-year-old, Michelle was raped by her mother's live-in boyfriend, Reggie, whom she was obligated to call "uncle." Suffering from the mental and emotional damage, her life spirals downward into drugs and prostitution, landing her in jail. Paroled after three years, Michelle tries to put her previous life behind her and start fresh--she attends church revival meetings, renews her friendship with Todd, a childhood friend who regards her as his first love, and in an attempt at healing, finally confronts her mother, Cassie, for denying what happened and protecting Reggie all these years. Just when she's found hope that she could turn her life around, she sees Reggie at a revival, triggering the painful memories and disappointments, and ends it all with violence.

The film is an adaptation of Bishop Jake's book and its title refers to one of his several conferences incorporated within his predominantly African-American ministry. The conference's emphasis is on social ills, and the guidance and empowerment of abused women. The film has been described as a commercial for the ministry and a vanity production. I didn't quite see it that way. Although it was likely intended for the Christian public, and there were taped scenes of the preacher's revival meetings, I viewed it simply as any other film. My religion had nothing to do with it and had no bearing on my opinions of its quality. Though he's in it as Michelle's spiritual counsel, this story is not about Bishop Jakes. It's about the destruction of a little girl and how she later attempts to pick up the pieces of her broken life. I thought the film to be generally honest and realistic in its portrayal of the long-term damages suffered by the victim, and commendable in its efforts to provide some measure of hope amidst the wreckage.

The acting was uneven in many scenes--too melodramatic perhaps where a more subdued or nuanced portrayal would have been more effective. The lead, Kimberly Elise as Michelle, whose beauty reminded me of a younger Cicely Tyson, was ferocious all throughout, but in some instances could have been tempered by more disciplined direction to better effect. Loretta Devine as Cassie did a terrific job, surprising me since I don't associate her with dramatic roles. The use of character monologues, where each would periodically intimate to the camera their thoughts and feelings, was an unnecessary and jarring device. It's far from a perfect film and there's nothing special that would distinguish it; however, I thought it to be altogether a worthwhile and moving story.

Summary of Woman Thou Art Loosed

Woman Thou Art Loosed is a powerful, tragic feature film adaptation of the bestselling, inspirational book of the same name by Dallas-based minister T.D. Jakes. Jakes plays himself in this fictional movie (which is derived from his work with women seeking guidance after experiences of abuse), lending his golden presence in a story about a death row inmate, Michelle (Kimberly Elise), whose childhood rape by her clueless mother's boyfriend leads to one catastrophe after another. Elise is very good in a difficult part, her character deeply cynical and seemingly beyond the reach of love, yet still human. The rest of the cast is also very fine: Loretta Devine as the ever-in-denial mom, Michael Boatman as a childhood friend who recalls Michelle's innocence, and Sean Blakemore as a criminal trying to steal the doomed heroine's soul. Veteran television director Michael Schultz ably guides the drama toward its quiet, unforgettable ending. --Tom Keogh
Woman, Thou Art Loosed is the story of Michelle Jordan (Kimberly Elise), a young woman raised in an environment of abuse and molestation at the hands of her mother's boyfriend Reggie (Clifton Powell); which her mother Cassie (Loretta Devine) unwittingly condones. While incarcerated, Michelle sends Bishop Jakes (Bishop T.D. Jakes) a letter requesting a visit. Jakes agrees to meet Michelle and soon uncovers the painful history that led to her personal demise. The Special Edition includes never before seen footage, deleted scenes, and related sermon material.

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