Jordan (Gina Philips) is a senior in high school in the Miami area. Her background as a Hispanic and Jewish young lady has upset her at times, for tradition is very big in her family. In fact, her parents hope that she will marry a young Jewish Latino male and set her up on many blind dates. None go well. This is in part because Jordan is a top-echelon member of her school's debate team and this consumes a great deal of her time. After one grueling "match", Jordan is amazed to find that a handsome, non-Jewish boy, Alex, from another team asks her out. Unbelievably, this guy date-rapes Jordan and she doesn't tell anyone! Its unclear whether culture, trauma or shame is the reason she can't tell a soul. With tremendous fortitude, she goes on and everyone, especially her debate teacher (Sean Astin) is thrilled when Jordan gets accepted to Harvard. The department head, a Southern, cowboy-hat wearing professor, handpicked her. Things start off well, for Jordan has wanted to see the world and take a break from her heritage. She also makes friends with her lesbian roommate. But, bad luck, she soon catches the eye of a good-looking student, Chris (Bryan Greenberg) and falls for him. He's a gentile and her passion for him makes her stray away from her studies. All too soon, she is kicked off the nationally recognized debate team, although she remains a student. Not long after this, she discovers Chris' infidelity, so its double whammy time. Flashing forward two years, Jordan reconnects with a blind date from her past. He is Elias (Adam Rodriquez), a medical student who she sees as a friend. However, Elias showers her with flowers and affection and soon, they are legitimately dating. She even feels comfortable enough with him to uncover the terrible secret of her long ago rape. Jordan also begs her way back onto the debate team to compete at the national tournament. But, two problems arise. One, will Elias ever see her in a different fashion from a traditional wife and mother for their future? Also, most tragically, Jordan finds that she has to debate Alex in the final round of the tournament. How can she face him without fear? This, as any reader can see, is a most unusual film. It has a handful of sensitive issues to put forth and, yet, is still a romance, too. Philips is excellent as the main character, a lady with dreams of more than being a Latina, Jewish, stay-at-home mother. Yet, she does want to hold onto her traditions, too. The rape topic is one that will upset viewers, for many will feel that Jordan should have brought Alex to justice. The rest of the cast is mighty fine, too. Both locales, Miami and Cambridge, are shown to perfection in beauty while the script is an intelligent, thought-provoking look at a world most viewers won't know. Any film fan who is drawn to strong female heroines who still let romance into their lives will, no debate, like this movie.
Review of Love and Debate
Love and Debate
(2006)
No debate, this is a most unusual film, fans of romance and female oriented films will find it admirable
15 August 2012
Warning: Spoilers