The Power Of Choice

Standup comic Michael Pritchard is the star and impetus of this excellent program which addresses the problems of teens. Using comedy as his vehicle, Pritchard is able to quickly establish a rapport with kids, and get them talking about the pitfalls of adolescence. The film alternates between recorded performances of Pritchard talking to large audiences and small groups and his talking on camera about his methods and goals. His basic approach is to convince kids that they are V.I.P.'s (that is they must use Vision, Initiative, and Perspective). Through humor, Pritchard is able to avoid the "lecturing" so often found in films on this subject; yet at the same time he doesn't flounder in value relativism: certain things are right and certain things are wrong. Period. Originally produced for PBS (and scheduled to air nationally on September 9), The Power of Choice is a rare and powerful film. Highly recommended for public and secondary school libraries. (Available from: Elkind & Sweet Communications, Inc., 3315 Sacramento St., San Francisco, CA 94118).