Educational Media Reviews Online

The Declaration of Independence proclaims that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are inalienable rights. In the two centuries since The Declaration was written, The U.S. Constitution, government agencies, legislators, courts, and individuals have attempted to define and legislate what life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in a democratic society is. This program attempts, in a brief 14 minutes, to give the viewer a political framework into which to put the abortion debate as it applies to a democratic society that is “based on enlightened principals of freedom.”

Apologies are extended to those who may, perhaps, find the above introductory summary to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness convoluted or dense. The truth is that it’s very difficult to adequately describe this sly, tongue in check, funny, absurd, and incisive pastiche of video clips that ties many disparate elements into a well-developed narrative. What do a Chinese dry cleaner; frogs; a white, upper class, creationist politician; his liberal medical student daughter; a fundamentalist terrorist; and a pot of boiling water have in common? Filmmaker Tiffany Shlain deftly weaves these elements, and many more, into a compelling cautionary tale about the repercussions of the gradual erosion of American women’s right to have an abortion since the 1973 passage of Roe v. Wade.

Part junior high school health film and part Monty Python, the program engages the viewer from its opening shot until its closing credits. The technical quality of the video is outstanding. It features excellent sound and editing--regardless of one’s political stance, it’s a treat to watch.

When the issue is abortion, however, it’s very likely that most viewers will have a political stance. It’s also highly likely that many viewers will hold beliefs that are in direct opposition to those in the program, but that shouldn't be a factor in making a purchase decision about this title. Surprisingly, students’ reactions to this film don't seem to depend on their stance on the abortion issue.

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness is highly recommended as an excellent conversation starter in women’s studies and political science classes. The video is also recommended for media studies and communications classes because it is an excellent example of a documentary short film. Also in the video’s favor, is its price. It is affordably priced for high school, academic, and public libraries. A must have for most libraries.