A documentary chronicles the Women's Liberation movement in the U.S in the late 1960s and the early 1970s.
There are many strengths in this film. The best include interviews with over twenty likeable women who were part of the movement in its heyday. The vintage photos and TV clips can leave one nostalgic for an era that had much fire in its heart compared to the long era of materialism that followed (and still lingers).
The film is well structured in its discussions of the many issues involved which include low wages, the lack of job opportunities, rape, abortion, health issues, sexuality, and childcare.
The fairness in this film is also admirable. It is honest about the movement's extremities in its later years. Also, after revealing the marginalization of women in the New Left, anti-war movement, it's also later revealed how black women, lesbians, and poor women also felt marginalized within the wider women's movement. More coverage could still have been given, however, regarding the poor and working-class. There is an interview with a woman of a working-class background but she talks of her experience at UCLA - a situation that would be very rare for most women in the working class.
While this film is a good chronicle of events in the U.S., it could have paid attention to feminist movements in other countries. A sore point is a reference to a recent protest movement that began in Toronto. If the event had begun in a U.S. city, there's little doubt the city would have been mentioned.
Despite the U.S-centric tone, this movie is a worthwhile experience especially with the reminder of what can happen when like-minded people get together and learn that they are not alone and that others share the same experience. It's much like the Margaret Mead quote: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." And as the film reiterates, "The personal is political."
