Educational Media Reviews Online

One of the most difficult aspects of evaluating a video is the problem of weighing its content against its form. In this video, a mother tells the story of her teenage daughter, Monica, who was murdered by a former boyfriend, Adam. The video interweaves Monica's mother's narration with dramatic reenactments of key scenes of the narrative.

On one level, it's wrenching to watch a mother's grief as she chronicles the story of her daughter's increasingly abusive relationship. It is especially poignant because Monica's mother's purpose in telling her story is to help educate young people about the warning signs and dangers of an abusive dating relationship. Her efforts in aid of this goal extend beyond this video. She is the founder of CAVEAT (Canadians Against Violence Everywhere Advocating its Termination).

On another level, the content is diluted by the program's form. The dramatic recreations of Monica's relationship with Adam pale in comparison with the impact of Monica's mother's genuine emotion. Teenage audiences, accustomed to watching slickly produced and acted programs such as Dawson's Creek and Beverly Hills 90210, will not be impressed by the acting and staging of these dramatic vignettes.

The uneven blending of reality and drama may seem to be a technical quibble. The issue becomes serious, however, when the line between the two becomes fuzzy and manipulative. For most of the program, Monica's mother is shot in a medium close-up against a black background. Near the end of the tape, the camera pulls back to show that she has been speaking to a teenage audience. The camera slowly pans over the tear-streaked faces of well-light, well-groomed young people. Is this a real audience in a real auditorium? Or is this a stage set with actors?

Perhaps the answer should be that it doesn't matter. But it does matter. This video contains extremely useful, very important information. Young people need to be warned about the dangers of abusive relationships. They need to know that the information they are being given is honest and that their dating problems are legitimate and deserve respect. What they do not need is the feeling that they have been manipulated by the illusion of honesty.

On a positive note, the video has some good qualities. As with all National Film Board of Canada productions, the program is technically very good. There are no problems with sound, lighting, or editing. The tape also includes a brief, but very useful viewing guide.

In summary, it is important to state again, the message and content of the video are excellent. It has the potential to serve as a discussion starter in high schools and community groups that deal with young people. However, the program can be only marginally recommended because of its blurring of the line between reality and illusion.