Breasts: A Documentary DVD: Review By kaismith

Twenty one women and one transvestite (41 breasts) talk about those "love apples" we women carry on our chest. Many topless and carrying all different shapes and sizes, from all different backgrounds and ages candidly talk about how their breasts have shaped their lives, their relationship with them and how they view them.

Director Meema Spadola does a fantastic job with the structure and flow of the film. She captures the very essence of how breasts are significant in how women experience womanhood and how it affects us when they are gone. Everything from the growth of breasts, body image, reduction, implants (good and the bad) to breast cancer is addressed.

Bonus Footage

Shown in full screen as well this feature is basically the left overs from the cutting room floor that couldn't quite make it into the film. Grouped into several sections this is mostly extended interviews with more of the interviewed subjects that weren't featured as much in the actual film. Breast cancer is talked about again and you get to hear a candid story about one woman's experience with her mother and how she felt after her mother dying from breast cancer about her own breasts and how she demystifed the negative connotation she associated with them. But there are others that are just junk like the rambling of the large woman before she actually took her top off.

Interview with Filmmakers

Sliced with clips from the film, producer Thom Powers and director Meena Spadola give a bit of insight into what sparked the idea to make the film and they went into detail how exactly they were able to gather the interview subjects and get them comfortable enough to take their tops off for the film (not just for us to oogle at - it was to prove a point).

Original Music from Breasts

This area is pretty neat. If you are a fan of the soundtrack, you can listen to each track in this section.

Filmmaker Biographies

Text providing a bit of a background of the filmmaker (Thom and Meena's)'s past work.

This DVD is Full Screen - 1.33:1. Pretty standard in this section. The focus is on the subjects so no nifty special effects here. Tied into the interviews are archived 1920's cartoons and 1950s beauty pageant footage and 1970's bra commercials. The picture is a bit grainy but nothing much to worry about. Gives it an aged feel.

The DVD doesn't specify what type of sound system but it sounds standard and the interviews come across very clear. The soundtrack is very ... how shall I describe this ... it makes women feel proud ...very mother earth. Check out the special features because every bit of music is also in that section which provides you the opportunity to enjoy it over and over again.

Set against a pink background are three separate images of women topless holding a black board before them with the words "breasts" on them. Between the images are critic's quotes and the film title. On the back are three close ups of interviewees, the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality stamp for an Outstanding achievement award, a plot synopsis, bonus list, and several more critic's quotes.

Casaba melons. Apples. Tickle betties. Bazookas. Cantaloupes. Love sacks. Those are just a few of the names others have called my own breasts. Through this film I reconnect with my own breasts. Men don't shy away from this film. In fact, embrace it especially those who have an appreciation for breasts. There is much to learn.

Breasts: A Doc*mentary helps demystify any notions associated with breasts and understand how they affect all of our lives - men, women and the transgendered.