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There is no doubt in my mind that women suffer more psychological challenges than men, many of which has to do with body image (and the treatment of such from the opposite gender). Sexual acuity, for example, is much more prevalent through what a woman's body conveys, which is an unfair fact of life.

Add to the struggle the horror of cancer upon such identity (for example, breast and ovaries), and the defining aspects of womanhood are starkly tested, to an extent that no degree of empathy can understand.

In her documentary, 'In the Family,' Joanna Rudnick chronicles her path in obtaining genetic code information, that will determine her chance that she will contract either breast or ovarian cancer, which runs in her family. When she finds out, in her early thirties, that she is positive for this likelihood, she begins to film herself and others as they cope with this realization in relationship to their everyday life.

Her personal life and documentary-style interviews are inter-spliced throughout the film. A new relationship becomes fodder for how love can deal with the truth. She follows a family of three sisters, as they receive their information after a genetic test. She ventures into the African American community, one that because of culture and class are not as likely to participate in testing. She interviews those who have lived and will eventually die based on how they acted upon their knowledge. And at all times, the decision she has to eventually make hangs over her.

This is a courageous story, though sometimes redundant. Most impressive is her sisterhood with the black female sufferers, coming to terms with everything that their lives can't fathom. Of course, it is the sisterhood that also leads the way through the thicket of expense, bureaucracy and swaying attitudes.

The personal life of Joanna is less revealing. As both participant and arbitrator in the film, she seems less inclined to expose the nature of her own honesty (which anyone can understand). It seems anytime the camera is on her, less is presented.

This is piffle, of course, against the larger specter of disease. How does anybody make a choice that will maybe save their life, versus so much of the self that they have to give up? As one of the sufferers admitted, it truly sucks.

Joanna has proffered this film as a gong and sounding board for the women and men who have this tiny aberration deep in the complex motherboard of life. It rings loud and blessedly clear.

*** stars

Pat McDonald is a Chicago based film critic and writer. Read his reviews and articles at...

http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/
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