"Woman Thou Art Loosed"
By Johanne Jean-Jacques, 10.21.04

Time magazine once hailed Bishop T.D. Jakes as the next Billy Graham. But Hollywood may one day tout him as a mover and shaker in the filmmaking industry.

With the recent blockbuster success of “The Passion of Christ,” films addressing Christian themes of suffering and redemption are finding significance among moviegoers. With a strong cast and script, Jakes’s first film, “Woman, Thou Art Loosed” has that winning formula. Since its Oct. 1 release, it has brought in more than $4 million.

The film boasts an A-list of black actors such as Kimberly Elise (“John Q.”), Loretta Devine (“Waiting to Exhale” and “The Preacher’s Wife”), Debbi Morgan (“All My Children”), and Clifton Powell (“Rush Hour” and “Why do Fools Fall in Love”).

Woman, Thou Art Loosed” is a story about Michelle Jordan, a young woman who turns to a life of drugs and prostitution after she suffers sexual abuse by her mother’s boyfriend, Reggie. To overcome one of her darkest hours, Michelle reaches out for God.

Elise gives a powerful performance as Michelle. Powell, who plays Reggie, gives a convincing performance of an abusive man whom you might call the “devil himself.” Devine is perfectly casted as Michelle’s mother, Cassie, a woman who lives a life of denial and abuse. And Morgan plays Twana with humor and dramatic flair.

The film’s theme of redemption needs greater exploration to offset the dark portrayal of abuse. But some of that is counter-balanced by Jakes, who delivers some powerful sermonettes throughout the film.

The movie may provoke an in-depth discussion of sexual abuse, and how it impacts the family.

This film is rated R for scenes of physical violence, appearances of guns and a few drug scenes – although no obscenities are used.

For more information about this film, visit the Web site www.womanthouartloosedthemovie.com.