Review of Day of the Woman (1978) by John A — 30 Oct 2007

Of course it's crass and offensive, it's a movie about rape. If this wasn't as well made as it is, it would have been forgotten about by now. While most films inadvertantly glamorize or trivialize this sickening and heinous of a crime.

I.S.O.Y.G. rubs it in your face, exposing the harsh, painful, and unescapable realities of a situation like this. To not give the audience the most potent cinematic equivalent of such a hurtful and repulsive act would be a dis-service to those who have suffered such in the real world.

I first saw this film when I was 15 and I too was offended not just by the graphic nature, but the lack of real artistic craftsmanship. Later, I realized that the flat direction and lack of musical score were intentional in creating a real-world atmosphere.

The director is simply re-creating a not unusual event that alot of the audience does not want to face - Are they angry at the film-maker, or the truth he is reminding us of? The second half of the film can be taken symbolically, as they depict the downward spiral that the psychologically devestated woman takes in her quest for revenge.

For it is the men that created the monster that are pursuing them. If you take a closer look, there is alot more going on here than "The biggest piece of trash" movie ever made.