The Glorias

4.5/10 on IMDb?? Is that because anti-feminists who haven't even watched it are just giving it 1 star? I personally thought it was a great movie that told Ms Steinem's story in an honest and inspiring way without preaching or overdoing anything. Alicia Vikander delivered an amazing performance (as per usual), and so did everyone else. The only criticism I have is that it was too unnecessarily slow at times, consequently making the overall movie much longer than it needed to be. It definitely could have been shortened by 30 or even 45 minutes.

This film is an interesting take on a biopic, blending elements of realism with more fantastical sequences set in Gloria's imagination. With references to The Handmaid's Tale, Wizard of Oz and more, these metaphorical inserts may not be for everyone but I felt they enriched the story. It features stellar performances from Julianne Moore and Alicia Vikander, with appearances from Janelle Monae and Bette Middler. I almost didn't watch this because I saw what a low score it had, and yet it seems this is perhaps to do with political leanings. Regardless of where your political views lie, this is an interesting look at an influential woman, and a beautifully made, entertaining film with a brilliant cast. The appearance of Gloria Steinem herself at the end was a particularly moving way to complete this intimate look at her life.

As a woman, I am truly humbled and deeply moved by this film. I enjoyed it even more than I'd hoped. It tells the story of a fierce, bold woman's tireless work to advocate for female rights. Watching this movie, I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like for me to live in a time where I did not have (nearly) the same rights as a man. Even as a 23 year old woman living in America, I have experienced sexism and the negative impacts of a patriarchal society throughout my entire life. I have felt the consequences of being a woman in a man's world since I was a young girl; discrepancies in respect, power, rights. It is more than emotional, it is more than intellectual: my phsyical rights. So many times I have been aware of how my situation would be better, if I were simply a man. I am indebted and thankful for the hard work of Gloria Steinem and her peers for shrinking that gap. While our country and world still has progress to make, I cannot imagine the deep pain and inequalities I would face daily, had it not been for Gloria's hard work and the feminist movement. Thank you.

That being said, this film was about 30 minutes too long and there were some editing choices that kept it from reaching its potential.

Great cast. Lovely cinematography. Fresh editing that draws you into the story. Thank you for daring to be different. :)