Search - Woman Thou Art Loosed (Special Collector's Edition) on DVD

An Emotional Rollercoaster, Well Worth the Ride!

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 03/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"WOMAN THOU ART LOOSED is an amazingly successful film. Based on and book and subsequent play by the Dallas Bishop T.D. Jakes (who portrays himself in this film demonstrating quality acting skills), WOMAN is based on a composite of women for whom Jakes has provided counseling in his ministry. He is committed to the abused women not only of his congregation but now to all abuse women.

Michelle (Kimberly Elise is a staggeringly perfect performance) is introduced to us on Death Row with the Bishop TD Jakes making a visit to minister to her. Through a finely wrought series of flashbacks and onscreen commentary by many of the characters in the story we learn that Michelle was raped by Reggie (Clifton Powell), one of her mother Cassey's (Loretta Divine, another praiseworthy performance) boyfriends, transient and live-in, whom Michelle is required to address as 'Uncle'. When Michelle tries to tell her mother of the rape, Cassey refuses to believe her, fearing that if she confronts Reggie that he will leave her - a woman at whose age and 'family' status makes keeping a man difficult.

Michelle escapes her home and takes to the streets with her friend Nicole (Idalis DeLeon) and soon finds herself at eh mercy of a drug dealer Pervis (Sean Blakeman) who requires her to be a stripper and prostitute. She is eventually imprisoned for various reasons and it is with all of this in the past that the movie opens.

Once TD Jakes arranges for Michelle to be out of prison she reconnects with Cassey who is still living with the worthless Reggie, and refuses to take Michelle under her roof. Michelle finds comfort with Twana (Debbie Morgan) who helps her improve her appearance, sets her up with a fine childhood friend Todd (Michael Boatman) and Michelle attends TD Jakes revivals with the hope of making something different with her life. But she is shadowed by her past with Pervis and her loathing for Reggie and ultimately shoots Reggie during one of Jakes' revival meetings. For this she is arrested, imprisoned, and sentenced to Death Row. It is here in her cell that the story begins and ends, but it is the impact of TD Jakes on her spiritual life that makes for a very touching ending that would be unfair to reveal.

This is first rate movie making and Director Michael Schultz has done a splendid job creating the atmosphere of the African American massive revivals, the agony of abused children and women, and the sensitivity of the clergy to those without hope. This film does not preach: this film speaks softly, as in a prayer. The actors are sensationally fine and the emotional ride is well worth your investment of time. Grady Harp, March 2005"

Commanding, heartrending film version

Nardsbaby | Westside Chi-town, IL United States | 05/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Cassey Jordan (Loretta Devine)is a single mother that doubts that good men really exist. Especially who want to be saddled in a relationship with baggage. As luck would have it, there is a guy Reggie. Thanks to good old "Uncle" Reggie, Cassey now feels LOVE! Sure he has his faults! But guess what? He wants Cassey, and she's thanking GOD for him!

In flashbacks we go into the story of Michelle Jordan (Kimberly Elise), Cassey's daughter, who has just been released from jail.

In a desperate search for solace. The very cynical, Michelle still longs for the understanding from her "extremely simple" mother. Thankfully, she does have the support of Twana (Debbie Morgan) along, with her friend Nicole, who has issues of her own.

Michelle is attending revival, keeping herself free of those street elements. She has even captured the eye of her childhood friend Todd (Michael Boatman) who speaks of their "innocence".

Isn't it just like the darkness to cover you when you're trying so hard to be the best that you can be? No matter how you try to forget, the loathing encases your mind, heart, and your spirit. So much so that all you can feel is the overwhelming pain, that is steadily G R O W I N G!
C O N T R O L L I N G,
G U I D I N G,
W I L L I N G Y O U!

Can these little girls who've suffered so deeply live amidst that destructive path?

Unfortunately due to silence, fear, and shame generations of women are molested! It is not an easy topic to discuss. Since no one talks about what happened, the PROBLEM then becomes "looked over" which helps it fester into a full blown epidemic! Countless women in abusive, destructive, lives and relationships all stemmed from being closed off with this horrible secret.

SOMEDAY THINGS WILL GET BRIGHTER!

I was scared that I wouldn't be able to handle the frankness of what this heartrending film version of the bestselling book by T.D. Jakes represented. My heart is so full and I'm grateful that I was able to cross that fear out. Woman Thou Art Loose is not a preachy "brothers/sisters you better get yourself together!" type of movie. It COMMANDS all of your attention as well as your compassion for the abused women of this world.

PEOPLE I BEG YOU, DON'T LET THIS MOVIE BE YOUR ONLY CRUSADE!
"

Powerful

Azlina Abdul Aziz | Malaysia | 02/25/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The depiction of child sexual abuse in the movie is a powerful and truthful account of the devastating effects child abuse has on a person. I plan to show it to my students in social studies lesson as we are studying the issue violence against women. The movie I hope will give a face and a voice to one of humans' sufferings that cuts across ethnicity, religion, nationality etc."

Powerful and Astounding Movie

Goddess Orchid | USA | 06/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie got inside my soul and spirit. I cannot explain, it stayed with me for days and even my husband. It is one of those movies that when you finish watching it you don't have to say anything, because you are on the same page with the person who watched it with you. This movie is about a woman on deathrow who requests the presence of a preacher (TD Jakes) and from there she reveals her story. A story of pain, anger, suffering, and freedom. This movie tells one woman's story but it is a story about many many women today. It needs to be told. And I am not going to reveal the storyline because I don't like telling a story. Just know you will be shaken, crying, angry, and pensive through this story.

One thing I will say is that you get glimpse of reality so close to home. Even if you're not a survivor- you will walk away feeling that there is something you need to let go. I recommend watching this movie with someone if you are a survivor of abuse because you WILL be triggered. It may call for a counseling session or prayer or the need to hold someone. Because it will speak to your heart and soul. Please see this movie.

This movie should ESPECIALLY be seen by men. Married men, single men, gay men...just men period. They need to know and then you need to share with your love one or partner.

The acting was superub and powerful even now I can feel the movie and it has been 3 days since I've seen it. I hope you find peace and healing!

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