Catfight: Why Women Fight

Combining expert interviews and profiles, filmmakers Rina Barone and Patricia Ditillio's briskly-paced documentary explores the issues of emotional conflict and sabotage between women. Interviewees—ranging from school-age girls to adult women—describe their battles with each other, while psychiatrists, a college professor, and one very patient high school counselor offer professional insights and statistics. Others featured include an adult, reformed "mean girl," and an artist who has been the victim of female sabotage. The documentary proposes several reasons for antagonistic relationships between women, including low self-esteem, desire for power, bonding with other tormenters, and the pursuit of excitement. Many of the girls profiled here do seem to be proud of their aggression (drawn by the sense of drama and the perceived respect it brings them). One expert makes the depressing suggestion that women are actually hardwired to fight with each other. By the end of the film, however, many of the young girls have either grown out of their catty behavior or are on the way to doing so. Unfortunately, it is not always clear how or why some interviewees here are perceived to be improving, weakening an otherwise effective examination of an interesting subject. A strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (K. Cruver)