Jezebel

When I sat down to watch the 2019 movie titled "Jezebel" from writer and director Numa Perrier, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, nor had I actually heard about the movie.

I read the synopsis and I do enjoy watching movies that I haven't seen before, and with "Jezebel" being a drama and having a fairly interesting enough synopsis, I sat down to watch it.

And now having seen it, I can say that I was adequately entertained by the storyline. Sure, it wasn't anything grand or phenomenal, but Numa Perrier managed to produce a story that was worth watching. However, I felt that the movie was leading me in a way where the situation would end badly for Jezebel (played by Tiffany Tenille), and then the movie just abruptly ended. No, the ending of the movie definitely wasn't one that pleased me, as it seemed too abrupt and just too random.

It should be said that the movie have a nice cast ensemble, and the lead actress Tiffany Tenille really carries the movie quite well, as did writer and director Numa Perrier herself in the role of Sabrina.

"Jezebel" is a character driven story, which definitely is a good thing, and with a nicely written story, it was not a drag to sit through this movie. However, the abrupt and random ending was so anti-climatic that I have to lower my rating for the movie from the six stars I would have given it, to a mediocre five out of ten star rating.

Jezebel is an artistic movie. It a "slice of life" movie that is both indulging and heartbreaking. It provides a personal account of what the main star, Tiffany ( played by TIffany Tenille), had to endure to make ends meet. The movie is not for everyone. Tiffany Tenille had some tremendous moments of great acting and is someone to look out for. The movie isn't perfect and there are some choices that could have been made better. Most notably, the suspense is built up until the end and it seems like it didn't follow through. Hopefully more will be revealed if the story gets picked up for a series. However, I think it is a movie that should be seen because it is a learning experience and a woman's account of a story that could have been hyper-sexualized but it wasn't. The story is unique and was worth the journey in all.

So the movie really didn't go anywhere and ended without finishing the story. Very unfulfilling.

The movie sends a disturbing wrong message: it was embraced by many and aimed for "female empowerment", but instead landed in the dark pit of emboldened "sex is power" and "exchanging sex for more money".

This bold narrative of struggling family trying to make ends meet just to keep a roof over their heads is definitely captivating. It gives a voice to the way some youth are forced to grow up way faster than should and have to make money fast; and there isn't many options for quick money other than drugs or sex. I enjoyed how we get to see the main character Tiffany, emerge from this shy awkward teen who is made to feel like she is just living off the labor of her sister, goes from feeling thrust into the adult world, to a sexually empowered, woman who learns about herself and feels good about being good at something. Her bond with her sister throughout her journey in the film is really what strengthens the film over all. I feel a lot of people who watch the film and give it negative reviews based on the topic of "sex work/cam girl" are narrow minded and obviously think sex should be seen as something to be ashamed of especially since the film surrounds a young woman. Apparently young women aren't allowed to grow into their sexual nature on their own terms unless they are becoming wives or mothers *eyeroll* I truly believe if the film was about a man "sowing his oats" nothing would be seen shameful about it. Anyway if you truly watch the film and can see past your own nose you can tell it's about the bond between sisters and Tiffany coming to her own. It may be a different take on this topic but having different voices is what makes the film world great. Thank you NUMA!

-Zar