By Tanya Batson, Staff Reporter
Mccalla and Farenheit
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE is one of those ugly issues that people often only face if they are forced to do so. However, it is a form of abuse which far too many women and some men - find themselves the victims of.
Recognising the importance of bringing discussions about domestic abuse into the open, the Bureau of Women's Affairs has created their second film, Starting Over, which targets this issue. The film is produced and directed by Lennie Little-White for Palm Productions.
As the movie is made for educational purposes, many things must be forgiven. The major one of these is its tendency to get far too 'preachy'. While this may seem to suit the purpose, it should be remembered that people are far more likely to listen when they are not being preached at. Nonetheless, this is easily forgotten, especially as some amount of humour is used to lighten the mood, without distracting from the seriousness of the issue being investigated.
The acting also ranged from good to watchable. Barbara McCalla, who played Mama Gertie, was the most impressive member of the cast. Young Marsha Hamilton, who is making her film debut, won over quite a few fans. She plays Anna Kay Barrett, the daughter of the abused woman - a role she played rather convincingly. Deon Silvera did a more than credible job in her role as Pearl McKoy, friend to Chantal Barrett (played by Carol Williams).
Terrence Harold, more popularly known as Farenheit, Donovan White, Rowan Wade and Bertina Macaulay make up the rest of the cast. Interestingly, although Macaulay's role was one of the smallest ones, she was rather gripping in her short stay on the screen.
The movie begins when physical abuse in an upper-middle class family is about to skyrocket. While it is never said that Chantal had been previously abused, the fact that neither the daughter nor the mother was surprised by the violence suggested that it had been going on for quite a while.
The major problem with the movie, however, is that it lacks depth. That is, it only touches the surface of the problem, although it can be argued that this may be because of time constraints. However, while they were a lovely addition to the movie, many of the scenes were rather unnecessary.
Nonetheless, the movie's point was made and, for educational purposes, that is sufficient.
One of the best points it may have made is that the dependence on the Cinderella dream robs many women of their power and leaves them almost helpless when they are in an abusive situation. When the Prince comes and takes her away to the castle, or Beverly Hills, it must be remembered that all she goes with is the raggedy clothes on her back and a pumpkin.
Additionally, it must always be remembered that the Prince and the Frog is the same character; all you need is one little spell/trigger to show this.
Thus, while it never says so out loud, Starting Over makes it abundantly clear that women need economic power in order to truly have an equal say in their relationships.
Starting Over is a movie that should be watched, as it tells a story that needs to be told - several times.
