1 a Minute seeks to raise awareness about breast cancer by combining a first-person narrative with commentary from celebrity speakers who've had experience with the disease, which reportedly kills one woman every 69 seconds. Although heredity is a well-known factor, several participants express greater concern about possible environmental causes. Actress Kelly McGillis provides the voiceover for re-enactments involving the film's director—Indian-American actress Namrata Singh Gujral, with actors portraying Gujral (who was diagnosed in 2008) and her husband, while her daughter Jasmine appears as herself. Says Oscar winner Diahann Carroll, “There are many people in show business who do not talk about the fact that they've learned they have cancer.” Singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge agrees that “it's important to get out from the stigma and the darkness of cancer.” Other survivors and relatives who appear include Olivia Newton-John, Jaclyn Smith, Lisa Ray, Barbara Mori, Hindi actress Mumtaz, and William and Daniel Baldwin, whose mother successfully battled the disease. Although the dramatic re-enactments are sometimes clunky and sentimental, the individual testimonies are absorbing because everyone has a different story to tell, as interviewees talk about their background, before discussing their diagnoses, treatments, and concerns. Along the way, Gujral also incorporates comments from medical doctors, oncologists, psychologists, religious leaders, and figures such as Deepak Chopra and Nancy Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. DVD extras include premiere footage and a celebrity panel. A strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)
1 a Minute
(2010) 90 min. DVD: $24.98. Passion River (avail. from most distributors). Volume 26, Issue 3
1 a Minute
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