Woman on Fire

Julie Sokolow's somewhat disappointing documentary Woman on Fire can't help but raise expectations of seeing transgender firefighter Brooke Guinan in action, heroically putting out blazes while, in her personal life, she bravely faces the challenges of fully transitioning to the female she has always felt to be within her. But the film is almost entirely a talkfest involving Brooke, her mother and father, and boyfriend, describing various challenges that preceded or followed Brooke's decision to change. Much of this is mildly interesting, although there are intriguing story elements that are not fully pursued. Among these is the fact of Brooke's father's abandonment of his wife and child for the vague reason of wanting another kind of life, a decision that ultimately left him open to Brooke's transition, even as they work out of the same firehouse. Woman on Fire clearly champions Brooke, but it feels like an incomplete portrait that never shows viewers why they should really care. Optional. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)