Chances: The Women of Magdalene

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Chances: The Women of Magdalene

Theatrical poster
Directed by Tom Neff
Produced by Tom Neff
Written by Tom Neff
Barry Rubinow
Starring Rev. Becca Stevens
Music by John Rosasco
Cinematography Tom Neff
Editing by Barry Rubinow
Release date(s) April 21, 2006
(Nashville Film Festival)
Running time 94 minutes
Country United States
Language English
IMDb profile

Chances: The Women of Magdalene (2006) is a documentary film, written, co-directed and produced by Tom Neff.[1]


Contents

[edit] Synopsis

The documentary features the socially conscious organization known as "Magdalene," located in Nashville, Tennessee, that recovers prostitutes off the street.

[edit] Interviews

[edit] Critical reception

Variety magazine film critic Joe Leydon lauded the film, and wrote, "Inspiring uplift abounds in Chances: The Women of Magdalene, a slickly produced but unmistakably sincere docu about a femme Episcopalian priest's outreach program to rehabilitate Nashville prostitutes. Theatrical potential is limited, but pic could find appreciative auds through tube and nonprofit exposure...Pic touches briefly yet respectfully on Rev. Stevens' background and motivation -- she was sexually abused at an early age -- but focuses primarily on her program's clients, who prove remarkably candid while describing past ordeals and future plans. Feisty Clemmie Greenlee emerges as first among equals, and her response to tragedy provides of one the pic's many emotional highlights. High-def video lensing enhances the pic's intimacy."[2]

Nashville Scene film critic Jim Ridley gave the film a more mixed review, and wrote, "The women’s blunt personal stories form the most compelling parts of Tom Neff’s earnest, polished profile, which amounts to promotion for the program and its good works. As documentary, it’s limited: we see very little of the day-to-day life inside the shelters, while a project pairing Magdalene House residents with Music Row songwriters takes up too much of the movie’s focus—it comes as an intrusion when a son’s funeral turns into a music montage. But the Magdalene women interviewed on camera have fought for their second chances, and the hard-won hope on their faces can make you forgive a lot."[3]

[edit] Awards

Wins

  • Nashville Film Festival: Audience Award for Best Documentary, Tom Neff, 2006.[4]

[edit] References

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Chances: The Women of Magdalene at the Internet Movie Database.
  2. ^ Leydon, Joe. Variety, film review, May 30, 2006. Last accessed: April 24, 2008.
  3. ^ Ridley, Jim. Nashville Scene, film review, April 20, 2006. Last accessed: April 24, 2008.
  4. ^ M&C News. Moview News, "Nashville Film Festival Winners," May 5, 2006. Last accessed: April 24, 2008.

[edit] External links


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Films directed by Tom Neff
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