Woman Thou Art Loosed

Though based on a book by television preacher Bishop T.D. Jakes (who also appears in the film as himself), Woman Thou Art Loosed is hardly a typical religious movie, even with its tale of redemption (of a sort) arising from a milieu of darkness, poverty, ignorance, and pain. The story follows a young woman named Michelle (Kimberly Elise), who after being molested as a child by her mother's sleazy boyfriend, spirals downward into drugs and prostitution, ends up in jail, and tries to straighten her life out after her release (part of her rehabilitation involves attending Bishop Jakes' sermons). Ultimately, however, Michelle can't escape her past, and she's driven to an act that lands her back in prison--this time on death row--and her experiences are related in fractured flashback as the concerned, compassionate Jakes talks to Michelle in her cell. While there are some provocative ideas behind Woman Thou Art Loosed, the film is played at too high-pitched a tone, and under Michael Schultz's stentorian direction, Elise, Loretta Devine (as Michelle's misguided mother), and Clifton Powell (as the calculating boyfriend) deliver shrill, overemphatic performances. Still, the picture has a certain raw power, and you're not likely to forget the moments when the characters address the camera directly, offering explanations for their conduct that may make you shudder. Optional. (F. Swietek)[DVD Review—Apr. 18, 2006—Fox, 101 min., not rated, $26.98—Making its second appearance on DVD, 2004's Woman Thou Art Loosed (Special Edition) adds DVD extras that include six extended sermon clips (27 min.), a seven-minute “making-of” featurette, a behind-the-scenes featurette (6 min.), a five-minute segment on Bishop T.D. Jakes' ministries, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an uneven film.]