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Woman, Thou Art Loosed (2004)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:22
Fresh:11
Rotten:11
Average Rating:5.4/10
Consensus: While Woman is a little less heavy-handed than other message movies, it still feels like an After School Special.
Theatrical Release:Oct 1, 2004 Limited
Box Office: $6,804,016
Synopsis: From the best selling novel and stage play, WOMAN THOU ART LOOSED (WTAL), comes the film adaptation of Bishop T.D. Jakes' tale of dysfunction, isolation and finally, inspiration. WTAL tells the... From the best selling novel and stage play, WOMAN THOU ART LOOSED (WTAL), comes the film adaptation of Bishop T.D. Jakes' tale of dysfunction, isolation and finally, inspiration. WTAL tells the story of Michelle Jordan (Kimberly Elise), a young woman who grows up in an environment of abuse and molestation by the hands of her mother's boyfriend Reggie (Clifton Powell); while her mother Cassie (Loretta Devine) looks the other way. These circumstances lead young Michelle into the dark abyss of drugs, prostitution and prison. While incarcerated, Michelle sends Bishop Jakes (Bishop T.D. Jakes, playing himself) a letter seeking a visit. With the prodding of her mother, Jakes visits Michelle and through a series of flashbacks he uncovers the dark past that has lead to Michelle's drug abuse, association with abusive men and finally murder. Jakes talks to the warden and is successful in getting Michelle an early furlough with one stipulation, that she attends Bishop Jakes' upcoming three-day revival. When Michelle, now a hardened inmate, is released from prison she opts to stay at a halfway house rather than be under the same roof as Reggie. Still bitter and distrusting of the church community, her mother in particular, Michelle is forced to do some soul-searching that takes her on a journey to recovery and resolve. While out on furlough, Michelle runs into a colorful bunch of past suitors, friends, and family members each who've played a part in defining the Michelle of today. At the halfway house, Michelle reunites with her childhood friend and ex-strip club co-worker Nicole (Idalis Deleon). Nicole has waged her own battle with drugs and wild living. In the halfway house the two rekindle their friendship and give one another much needed support. Twana (Debbi Morgan) is a family friend who had knowledge of Michelle's childhood abuse and now serves as point of inspiration to Michelle. Also, Michelle reconnects with Todd (Michael Boatman), an old beau, who still loves Michelle and tries to steer her on the right path. What takes place at the church altar on the final night of the revival closes the chapter on the desolation felt by a young girl two decades prior, heals a relationship between mother and daughter, and ends a destructive relationship that should have stopped years before. Rueben Cannon Productions and Touchdown Productions, Inc. presents the drama Woman Thou Art Loosed starring Kimberly Elise (John Q, Beloved, Set It Off), Loretta Devine (Boston Public, Kingdom Come, I Am Sam, Waiting to Exhale), Debbie Morgan (Love and Basketball, Eve's Bayou, Soul Food), Clifton Powell (The Brothers, Friday After Next, Civil Brand), Idalis Deleon (Six Feet Under, Body & Soul), Michael Boatman (Spin City, Arliss) and Bishop T.D. Jakes. Woman Thou Art Loosed is written by Stan Foster (Hangman's Curse). The film is directed by Michael Schultz (Boston Public, LA Law: The Movie, Car Wash, Cooley High) and produced by Reuben Cannon (Get On The Bus, Down In The Delta, Dancing In September). This film is co-produced by Tammy Garnes (Biker Boyz, Roots: Celebrating 25 Years, Dancing In September), Stan Foster and Will Griffin. Paul Garnes (Biker Boyz, You Got Served, Playa's Ball) is line producer. Reinhart "Ray" Peschke (celebrated gaffer of The Rules of Attraction, Son of Sam, Serving Sarah) is the director of photography and Rita McGhee (Biker Boyz, Grown Ups, What's Love Got To Do With It) rounds out this highly experienced and dedicated crew as the costume designer. [More]
Starring: Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine, Clifton Powell, Debbi Morgan
Starring: Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine, Clifton Powell, Debbi Morgan, Michael Boatman, Ricky Harris, T.D. Jakes
Director: Michael Schultz
Director: Michael Schultz
Screenwriter: Stan Foster
Producer: Reuben Cannon
Studio: Magnolia Pictures
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Reviews for Woman, Thou Art Loosed
As a film it plays like a heavy-handed morality tale one might come across on a middling cable network.
There is little to like about many of the hard characters we meet. Yet the film has a core generosity.
It is more a public service announcement than a movie, but it has to be more useful to its audience than a summer blockbuster offering Halle Berry's tips on how to use a bullwhip.
Woman boasts an unexpected edginess, as well as a terrific performance from Kimberly Elise.
It offers a compelling portrait of human tragedy and the journey to redemption.
Schultz ... is not able to lift the proceedings beyond melodrama, but he succeeds in imbuing the film with dramatic urgency and has elicited powerful performances from the cast.
Its essential message of emotional healing is a positive one. But as a movie, it floats into a channel-surfing blur of corny scenes and pop psych dialogue that too often confuses the material with the spiritual.
This is very much a woman's picture, both in the old-school sense of highly pitched, Lifetime-style melodrama and in its cast of formidable actresses, all of whom deliver powerful performances.
Its preachy side can be offputting. Messages of forgiveness and spiritual awakening are slammed home like force-feeding for the soul.
There's no finger-pointing exclusion or even hellfire here, only the openhearted hope and welcoming love on which the religion was based.
This movie wears its agenda proudly. If at times awkwardly, it has something real it wants to say.
Unconvincing performances and overwritten dialogue make Woman fail to resonate.
For the Rev. Jakes, Jesus is the way out. But on film, that message comes across with more subtlety and tenderness than the grind of the touring gospel musical can muster.
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