Face It

Somewhat amateurish production values mar this well-intended effort to educate viewers about the danger signs of domestic violence. Consisting of a mix of interviews (including two self-described male abusers and a female victim of domestic violence) and dramatizations of various domestic entanglements, the brief film highlights the types of behaviors in interpersonal relationships that may signal a propensity toward domestic violence, with an eye towards providing a solid understanding of the patterns and signs of impending abuse. The reenactments grapple with such issues as how men talk to each other about women in private, how men may pressure women sexually in private and social situations, the various efforts on the part of potential abusers to control their partner's actions, and the role of drugs and alcohol in domestic abuse. Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this film, despite its low-budget look, combines honest accounts of both victims and abusers, while also helpfully pointing out the red flags of domestic abuse. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (A. Cantú)