Filmmaker Scott Jacobs's Love, Sweat & Tears takes a breezy approach to the subject of menopause, a condition affecting as many as 60 million American women at any given time. The use of portentous music and spooky graphics during the opening credits suggests a horror film, but Jacobs soon segues to an infomercial-meets-daytime-talk-show vibe with celebrity participants such as Jenny McCarthy and the late Joan Rivers. Regardless, more information about menopause can only be a good thing. The true driving force behind the documentary, Dr. Pamela Dee Gaudry, conducts the interviews, provides the data, and sets the tone. Dr. Dee started out in OB-GYN before transitioning to become a menopause care specialist. She describes the change of life as "no periods for 12 straight months," although the age of onset varies. For most women, perimenopause begins in the 40s, while menopause itself starts in the 50s. Other specialists include Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, sex therapist Mary Jo Rapini, and psychiatrist Madeleine Castellanos. The doctors agree with Dr. Dee that medical schools don't pay as much attention to menopause as they should, which leaves patients without the support they need (and, as Minkin notes, more women go through menopause than pregnancy). The symptoms under discussion include hot flashes, lack of sleep, and issues with intimacy, while potential alleviators include sex toys, vaginal cream, and hormone replacement therapy. To spice things up, Jacobs also employs on-the-street interviews, dramatic re-enactments, and animated sequences. It's a bit of a hodgepodge, but there's useful information here, making this a strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)
Love, Sweat & Tears
(2017) 82 min. DVD: $29.95 (avail. from most distributors on Aug. 22), $349 w/PPR (avail. from www.kinolorberedu.com). DRA. Kino Lorber. Volume 32, Issue 4
Love, Sweat & Tears
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