Enough Parent Guide
Parent Movie Review
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE JUMPS FROM newspaper headlines to the big screen in this dramatic thriller starring Jennifer Lopez as a diner waitress who falls in love with, and marries a successful local contractor.
The fairytale life of the seemingly perfect couple implodes when Slim (Lopez) discovers her husband Mitch (Bill Campbell) has some hidden secrets. Confronted with the facts, he declares that as the breadwinner, he’ll make the rules in their marriage and she can live with them. But even that staggering confession doesn’t send Slim packing until Mitch starts throwing punches to keep her in line.
Escaping into the night with the aid of her former employer (Chris Maher) and a fellow waitress (Juliette Lewis), the suburban housewife starts a terrifying run from an obsessive husband who refuses to live without her. Despite frequent shoulder checking, her hopes for safety are rattled when a group of thugs ransack her friend’s (Dan Fulterman) apartment and threaten his life. Afraid to put others in jeopardy, she invents a new identity for herself and daughter (Tessa Allen) with help from her estranged father (Fred Ward) and keeps a low profile in a small Michigan town.
But when Mitch uncovers the trail and breaks into their home, Slim’s had Enough. Shattered by betrayal and fearful for her life, she takes some cues from a street savvy fighter and prepares to face her abusive partner, ending the nightmare on her own terms.
Language (including a sexual expletive), sultry mistresses, and depictions of bloody domestic violence put this musical pop star’s movie on the charts as questionable family entertainment. Yet the plight of abused spouses caught up in violent relationships and the trauma caused to their children may be worthy of discussion, especially with older teens. Without the financial assistance or supportive network that allows Lopez’s character to escape, many battered mates are trapped.
Her pre-meditated conclusion to the couple’s “happily ever after” union probes the fine line between self-defense and murder, while leaving parents in the position of deciding if a restraining order should be slapped on this film.
Starring Jennifer Lopez, Bill Campbell. Running time: 115 minutes. Theatrical release May 24, 2002. Updated July 17, 2017About author
Enough Parents' Guide
Although Mitch froze Slim’s money, she was still able to find funds to live on and train with. How much more difficult is it for women to leave abusive relationships when they don’t have other money available? What resources are there for women who are trying to start over in their lives?
Slim tries to protect Gracie from being “tainted” by hearing or seeing her parents argue, but the constant moving and name changes still have their effect. Do you think a child can remain unaffected in an abusive home even if he/she is not hit or yelled at directly?
Home Video
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Although music may be her first claim to fame, this pop diva has made her mark in the film industry as well. For instance, she portrays a young singer whose life ends in tragedy in the biographical film Selena. Other films that explore the plight of women who get caught in the consequences of poor decisions are: Where The Heart Is, Riding In Cars With Boys, and Washington Square. Spouse abuse is one of the storylines in The Rainmaker.