Educational Media Reviews Online

It was Howard Becker who in his 1963 book, Outsiders: Studies in the sociology of devianc noted that “Deviant labels tend to be ‘sticky.’ The community tends to stereotype someone as above all and most importantly a deviant. When someone is identified as a deviant, the community asks, ‘What kind of person would break such an important rule?’ The answer that is given is “one who is different from the rest of us, who cannot or will not act as a moral being and therefore might break other important rules.” Labels are indeed sticky and hard to distance one’s self from.

The film aptly discusses a crucial need in our society... “How do we reduce our prison population?” This in part is related to how we help people avoid criminality in the first place and secondly for those who are in the criminal justice system, how do we enable and assist those that wish to change their identity from convict to citizen.

Pull of Gravity employs a sociological technique of study called qualitative self-narrative to allow and empower convicted individuals with the ability to discuss, reflect upon, and suggest what they believe would help them overcome criminality and the criminal label. For centuries the correctional segment of the criminal justice system has used punishment, self-reflection, and isolation as techniques to handle those incarcerated. Some techniques focus on self-analysis and penitence, others on pure punishment to simple removal from society. For the past 30 years in America the justice system has focused on removal or segregation of individuals based on number of arrests and crime classification. This focus has led to mass incarceration which often focuses on particular groups in our society, and our prisons are now bulging at the seams. Moreover, the focus on segregation from society has only served to increase the stigma attached to those arrested; and for those incarcerated made the label ‘criminal’ one that is nothing other than an identifier of those considered social pariah.

The co-directors, El Sawyer and Jon Kaufman take us on a real life journey in the lives of three released prisoners, Andy, Kev and the co-director - El. The stories of these men are in their own words. The stories resonate as they explain their upbringing and their lives in prison and afterward. Each one has managed to stay out of prison differing amounts of time. However, each shares the experience of trying to shake the label and stigma of the past.

Pull of Gravity moves smoothly and keeps the attention level at peak. The film offers the viewer much upon which to reflect. The sound and visuals offer a stark view of life after prison. Editing flows well and this enhances the reality for groups wishing to explore the reality of life after prison and should relate to groups of ex-felons seeking to learn more about their own lives and how to cope with the prospects of successful reentry to society. The distributor provides a trailer at the film's website, where it may be purchased as a DVD or streamed.