Flirting with Danger: Power & Choice in Heterosexual Relationships

Drawing from the book of the same name by Dr. Lynn Phillips, a developmental psychologist at the University of Massachusetts, this documentary dramatically re-creates her interviews with college-age women about their sexual experiences. In commentary bracketing the recollections, Phillips explains that she sought out subjects from different races and economic backgrounds, and the actresses here deliver the monologues convincingly. In some instances, they explain why they had sex, even though they didn't want to—instructive episodes that might not qualify as rape, but can help others to recognize similar situations. Phillips expresses particular concern that a significant portion of her subjects described scenarios that fit the legal descriptions of harassment, battery, and rape, but many simply blamed themselves for letting things go too far. One woman says, "I guess I must have been sending out mixed signals." Another claims that the young man who hits her on occasion is "a good person." Excerpts from news reports provide examples of assault cases in which authority figures treated the victims like criminals, which discourages women from speaking out about coercion or victimization. Clips from movies and music videos focus on women who present a sexy image in order to attract men, while contrasting scenes present sexually active women as sluts, going so far as to suggest that they deserve punishment. Despite the emphasis on negative situations, Phillips aims to encourage parents, educators, and counselors to listen when girls speak, to read between the lines, and to help them come up with solutions. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)