Toe to Toe Contemporary Film Review

A. Personal Issues. What struck the most responsive cords in me were the lifestyles of Jessie and Tasha. I was reminded of the worlds that kids are living in. In addition to going to school, these two students both had a lot on their minds. I noticed this because I am going to be working with many students when I am a teacher who have complicated home lives. Tasha came home to find her baby niece playing by the street as her brother was doing drugs. Jessie never received attention from her mother, so she tried to get sexual attention from the male students at school. There is so much going on in a high school student's mind. I was reminded of what some of those things were. I feel that my response would be felt by others who work with students. Kids are growing up faster and faster these days, which is something society definitely needs to be aware of.

B. Technique. In the beginning of the movie, there was a part where the camera was all over the place and watching made me feel a little dizzy. This is something that could be changed because I am sure I was not the only one who felt this way during that part. I thought that the dialogue in the movie was very realistic to what teens would say in real life. I also like the music choice in the background. I did not really notice any special effects and I think some could have been incorporated during the scene where all of the students were at the club dancing.

C. Acting. Jessie and Tasha were the main roles. Jessie was a rich girl who was very sexually advanced for her age. I feel she did a really good job playing her part. I was disgusted by some of the things that were said and some of her facial expressions at times. Tasha was another well-played character. Tasha grew up in a bad part of town and was made fun of by the girls that lived in "her hood." Again, the acting was phenomenal and the characters were very believable.

D. Plot. Two girls, Jessie and Tasha, become friends at school. They came from very different backgrounds. Jessie is rich, but has no parental support. Tasha lives in the ghetto and does not have enough money to go to college. She plans to get a full ride for her grades and lacrosse. These girls meet and then become enemies because Jessie starts giving sexual attention to the boy Tasha likes. Jessie and Tasha both play on the lacrosse team together. When Jessie gets really drunk, Tasha is the only one who can help her. When Tasha's full ride is on the line, Jessie will have to make a decision. --- I found the plot to be original. It was very sexually graphic and did not hold anything back. I appreciated this because the plot told the story how it is. Nothing was covered up, so the viewer was really able to see the lives of both Jessie and Tasha.

E. Themes. In my opinion, there are many themes this movie has. Some of them are: friendship, interracial friendship, growing up rich vs. growing up poor, absence of parents, alcoholism, drugs, relationships, and sex. These are all things things that happen with students in high school. Even though many pretend it does not happen, it does. I believe the movie shows that no matter where you come from, you can always help someone out who is in need. I think the movie also goes over the idea that parents should be a part of their children's lives. A job should not be more important than your child. The messages are integrated with the plot, so they were easy for me to explain and talk about.

F. Genre. I do not think this film has a certain genre. Drama would be a good category it could fit into. I have never seen a movie like this before. The closest thing I could think of is Mean Girls, but the message in Toe to Toe was much stronger. These films both deal with high school girls coming from different backgrounds. The friends also both hate one another at one point and there is a party all of the students, including the main characters, attend. I think this is popular today, because it is what actually goes on. Girls can relate to the story.

G. Representation. This film represents "the poor girl" as being appreciative and hard working. The "rich girl" is seen as sexually advanced, mean, and careless. But, there are other factors that can explain why the girls are this way. I do not think it is fair to say the movie says all poor are hard working. For example, Tasha's brother was poor and doing drugs when he had a child. The film shows the guy that both girls like to be a player. These representations need to be there in order for the movie's plot to work.

H. Ideology. The cultural beliefs that are brought up in this film are parenting, sex, and interracial relationships. The movie showed what could happen when parents are not involved and sex becomes a way to make friends and fit in. I feel that this movie explores interracial relationships in a positive way.