Dear Talula (2006/First Run Features DVD)
Picture: C Sound: C+ Extras: C+ Main Program: B-
Breast
Cancer is still a serious menace that is so bad, even men can get it, but women
are the main victims and when then 38-year-old new mother Lori Benson found out
she had it, she decided to start recording (without later consideration of what
to exactly do with the footage) every event she could and all the time she
spent with her daughter. At one point,
she had all this footage including following her through the process of
detecting and treating the cancer, editing it together. The result is a document for her daughter in
case she died from it she decided to simply call Dear Talula.
Despite
the hours of footage, she cut this down to a short 34 minutes, but it is very
effective, telling and personal for what it is and at times can be very
striking. Benson is exposing her private
life in bold ways and all because she loves her daughter so much. I will not reveal the results, but it is
compelling and will likely help many going through the same situation to see
it, deserving its on DVD.
The 1.33
X 1 image is mixed because it comes from so many analog and low-def digital
sources, but is well-edited just the same.
Just expect some variance in picture quality. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo is simple at
best and sometimes you can hear the limits of the location audio. Extras include Who’s On Your Team? Short, resources text, Director’s Notes with
video reel and a Breast Cancer Guidebook printable in DVD-ROM form.
- Nicholas Sheffo
