SLIFF 2010 Review: GOD’S OFFICES

Review by Dane Marti

I guess I should admit right off that this was a film that I certainly didn’t necessarily want to review. Its not that it didn’t sound interesting (it didn’t) but that I think the best person to write a review of an abortion clinic. I was partially wrong, as I am on many subjects. I think this is an important film for any man to see, especially since many men often think of sex as something pleasurable, the women ‘ho’ and the problems associated with the choice something to put out of mind until much later. The serious issues that go beyond intercourse and/or love are the major reason to watch this film. If nothing else, it could spur after-film conversation.

Directed by Claire Simon, this is a fascinating film that pulls a viewer into its reality using a potent, quasi-documentary feel. In that respect, it is perfect. Filmed in a sterile, Cinema Verite style which keeps a documentary feel through it’s panning, one-take shots, I had to keep reminding myself that it was not a documentary. However, as we all know, even actual documentaries are constructed and edited – they have a definite p.o.v. And frankly, cannot be considered real or the truth. Here, it is easy for the viewer to become lost in the reality of what he or she is actually viewing, so realistic is the film’s acting, writing and overall look.

For just a little while, I had to ask myself why the filmmakers hadn’t actually done a documentary on the serious subject. Then I realized: “Lunkhead! It’s because most women would rather not be interviewed or partake in a documentary on this subject” This way of proceeding with a film is also a convenient way for the director and writer to get all their pertinent information, their ideas within the proper structure, including the emotions of the young (and occasionally older) women who come to the clinic looking for either answers, questions or a solution to a serious problem that torments them:

Whether it is young women wanting to get on ‘the pill,’ proper usage of condoms, the intricacies of family and relationship conflict or the big one: An Abortion, the film utilizes an armada of actresses and actors to highlight and delineate the frustrations, the pain and the confusions of both the people who come to the clinic as well as the completely human therapists and doctors.

GOD’S OFFICE will play during the 19th Annual Stella Artois St. Louis International Film Festival on Friday, November 12th at 4:15 pm and Monday, November 15th at 9:15 pm at Plaza Frontenac Cinema.