AFI Dallas – He Done Good

This entry was posted on 3/27/2007 10:28 AM and is filed under Dallas,Events.

I went to the screening of the documentary America the Beautiful last night at the Magnolia Theater for the AFI DALLAS International Film Festival. My wonderful friend Steve accompanied me and we had a wonderful time. It was a bit chaotic upon arrival due to the mass of people in the lobby, drinking and mingling. Once in the actual theater, there were not enough seats. I purchased my tickets about 3 weeks ago so I had a big question mark in my head. It turns out that some volunteers and workers fancied themselves a few seats and were told, “No, No – gotta get up.” Thank goodness b/c If I had not been able to sit down, I would have raised some hell.

Anywhoozy, finally, we were seated and before the film started, the director Darryl Roberts, spoke briefly. I forgot my camera and the one on my cell is not so good so no pics – sorry! Ok, moving on, I loved the film.

At its narrative core, America the Beautiful focuses on Gerren Taylor, a very young girl caught up in the world of high fashion. Along the way, director Darryl Roberts crafts a thought-provoking, funny, and even sad look into the way our American society dictates–and then contradicts– what is “attractive.” From the messages perpetuated by corporate advertising to the fatal chemical components of cosmetics, no topic is safe from examination.

I loved the way Roberts was able to weave Gerren’s story with how the beauty and fashion industry affect what our culture values as beautiful and worthy.

The film was also quite funny at times. One of my favorite scenes was when Gerren was in Paris, and a rather expressive agent tried to tell her she needed to lose weight. Her English was not so good so she used body language. She sucked in her cheeks and stood tall, then slouched, stood tall, then slouched saying, “…more…this.” Gerren is like 6 feet tall and a size 4 if not smaller. The fashion industry is great, no? Another highlight was commentary by Vagina Monologues writer Eve Ensler. That lady is freakin’ hilarious and somehow so poignant.

You have to see this film. And when you do see it, you will understand what I mean by saying, “Revlon, tsk tsk. Shame on you!”