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Movies / On DVD / Woman, Thou Art Loosed
Woman, Thou Art Loosed

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Woman, Thou Art Loosed (2004)

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Reviews Counted:55

Fresh:28

Rotten:27

Average Rating:5.5/10

Consensus: While Woman is a little less heavy-handed than other message movies, it still feels like an After School Special.

Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins

Genre: Dramas

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

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1 - 20 (sorted by comments; UK critics are listed first)
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

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Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
10/06/04
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

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Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
10/22/04
Arizona Republic
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
10/23/04
Boston Phoenix
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

While the acting is adequate, it has a low-budget, melodramatic 'ABC Afterschool Special' quality to it that would make it more appropriate for airing on Lifetime or BET.

Full Review Source: Town Talk (Alexandria, LA) | comment Comment
10/01/04
Andrew Griffin
Andrew Griffin
Town Talk (Alexandria, LA)

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.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
10/01/04
Ann Hornaday
Ann Hornaday
Washington Post

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.

Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
10/07/04
Bob Townsend
Bob Townsend
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Although it makes no bones about preaching to the choir, Woman, Thou Art Loosed has enough force as a searing emotional drama to transcend religious boundaries.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
10/01/04
Bridget Byrne
Bridget Byrne
Boxoffice Magazine

Its preachy side can be offputting. Messages of forgiveness and spiritual awakening are slammed home like force-feeding for the soul.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
10/01/04
Bruce Westbrook
Bruce Westbrook
Houston Chronicle

Unlike many films with Christian agendas, this one doesn't sweep ugliness under the rug.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
10/21/04
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

It offers a compelling portrait of human tragedy and the journey to redemption.

Full Review Source: USA Today | comment Comment
10/21/04
Claudia Puig
Claudia Puig
USA Today

As with a good sermon, it is engaging, and strives to inspire and provide food for thought. Audiences going in knowing what to expect shouldn't be disappointed.

Full Review Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette | comment Comment
10/25/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Michael Schultz's powerful melodrama renews an important tradition of African-American filmmaking: the movie as revivalist sermon.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
09/30/04
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The uniformly excellent actors, many of whom have been working beneath their gifts for years on UPN sitcoms, clearly relished the complexities. You will too.

Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | comment Comment
10/01/04
David Chute
David Chute
L.A. Weekly

The screenplay is overwrought at times, but the acting is superb by any standard.

Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | comment Comment
09/30/04
David Sterritt
David Sterritt
Christian Science Monitor
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out New York | comment Comment
08/16/07
Derek Adams
Derek Adams
Time Out New York

Ultimately, the movie's too uneven to be totally satisfying.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
09/30/04
Desson Thomson
Desson Thomson
Washington Post
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: CHUD | comment Comment
02/27/09
Devin Faraci
Devin Faraci
CHUD

A quality production that fully engages.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
09/25/04
Doris Toumarkine
Doris Toumarkine
Film Journal International

You know girlfriend is in trouble when she walks into church without a bra.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
09/21/04
Ed Gonzalez
Ed Gonzalez
Slant Magazine
 
 
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