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Woman Thou Art Loosed

2004, Movie, R, 94 mins

Woman Thou Art Loosed: Review

WOMAN THOU ART LOOSED
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A frankly evangelical vehicle based on the Reverend TD Jakes' book and play of the same title, both in turn rooted in his ministries, this grim fable follows an abused woman as she travels the path of poverty, violence and exploitation to faith and self-acceptance. It opens with a literal bang: Michelle Jordan (Kimberly Elise) walks into a revival meeting and shoots someone dead. Sometime later, the Reverend Jakes (as himself) visits Michelle on death row, where she fills the empty hours building intricate miniature houses out of matchsticks. Jakes guides Michelle through the story of her life's many wrong turns. Sassy Cassey Jordan (Loretta Devine) feels burdened by her 8-year-old daughter (Jordan Moseley), who's never allowed to call her "Mommy" and shuttles between the homes of her grandmother and Cassey's best friend, beauty-shop owner Twana (Debbi Morgan), so that Cassey is free to date. Everyone sees that Cassey's new boyfriend, Reggie (Clifton Powell), is trouble except, of course, Cassey; she supports him, tolerates his drinking and accuses 12-year-old Michelle (Destiny Edmond) of lying when she tearfully accuses Reggie of rape. From that moment, Michelle hardens her heart and confides only in her friend Nicole (Idalis DeLeon), becoming increasingly estranged from the mother who considers herself an upstanding, churchgoing lady but continues to favor Reggie over her daughter. Nicole and Michelle both wind up working as strippers for the loathsome Pervis (Sean Blakemore), who deliberately hooks his dancers on crack, then forces them to become prostitutes. Michelle eventually goes to jail on a drug offense and is paroled at her mother's behest, with the proviso that she must attend revival services. Veteran director Michael Schultz, whose credits range from stage productions with the Negro Ensemble Company to CAR WASH (1976) and episodes of TV's Touched by an Angel, provides the steady hand that keeps this melodramatic material from degenerating into sheer soap opera. Powell lends unexpected nuance to a thoroughly despicable character, but the film belongs to its diverse cast of fiercely resilient women. Elise, whose kewpie-doll looks provide a stark visual contrast to Michelle's painful experiences, is its emotional center, but she's supported by vivid performances from DeLeon, daytime-TV regular Morgan and Devine. The film's proselytizing is forthright, rooted as much in pop psychology as traditional doctrine, just as Jakes' showbiz sermonizing combines traditional holy rolling and telegenic showmanship. You may not care for the message, but there's nothing insidious about it. leave a comment --Maitland McDonagh
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