The film positions itself as a liberating and enlightening exploration of the lesbian experience, particularly the process of coming to terms with one's sexuality within a restrictive religious environment. However, it ultimately fails to deliver on this promise. It skirts around the deeper, more complex realities of growing up in a culture steeped in systemic abuse, social conditioning, and the profound isolation that women-especially LGBTQ+ women-face within such environments.
Rather than delving into the intersection of Mormonism, patriarchy, political control, and LGBTQ+ themes, the film reduces these elements to surface-level concepts. It feels as though the filmmakers approached the subject matter with only a cursory understanding of the culture-perhaps inspired by a documentary about Mormonism and a vague sense that some women in such settings might secretly be gay-before crafting a narrative. This lack of depth results in a film that feels disconnected from the very experiences it claims to represent.
For a more nuanced and meaningful exploration of women's experiences and LGBTQ+ themes within a religious patriarchal framework, Women Talking is a far superior alternative. That film succeeds where this one falters: it thoughtfully examines the systemic oppression of women, the complexities of faith, and the struggle for liberation in a way that is both authentic and profoundly moving.
