Reviews

Flying: Confessions of a Free Woman

Exploring the modern female life

By PEG ALOI | April 9, 2008

3.0 Stars

FLYING: Jennifer Fox goes beyond solipsistic whining.

This documentary mini-series by Jennifer Fox (An American Love Story) is a personal memoir of, as she puts it, “this modern female life.” Juggling two lovers (one married, one tolerant of polyamory), Fox has a pregnancy scare that prompts her to explore being single, childless, and 42. She “passes the camera” among friends in her Manhattan loft and in her various ports of call as an educator. Pat, the singer with chronic pain after removal of a brain tumor, and L’Dawn, the divorced mom embroiled in a bitter court battle with her ex, are two of her circle of co-conspirators. It’s tempting to dismiss Fox’s soul searching as solipsistic whining, given her affluent lifestyle, her 20 years of therapy. But as she scrutinizes sexual autonomy among Cambodian prostitutes and South African victims of genital mutilation, she reveals humility and empathy. At six hours, with its deliberate pacing and thoughtful editing, Flying makes for an absorbing viewing experience. 353 minutes | MFA: April 17-19

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ARTICLES BY PEG ALOI

SIXTY SIX | August 20, 2008
A pleasing, if unbalanced, period piece

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ZOMBIE STIPPERS | April 16, 2008
Hilariously good gorefest

FLYING: CONFESSIONS OF A FREE WOMAN | April 09, 2008
Exploring the modern female life

LA MISMA LUNA | UNDER THE SAME MOON | April 02, 2008
Irresistibly good

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