> > I don't believe that this idea of her having been sexually abused >during her childhood is a valid explanation of her silence. I was under >the impression that it was a result of the traumatic loss of her first love UNLESS THAT FIRST LOVE WAS IN FIRST GRADE, THAT DOESNT COMPUTE (SHE HADN'T SPODKEN SINCE THE AGE OF SIX IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY). GENERALLY, I FOUND THE FILM BEAUTIFUL AND SUCCESSFUL IN ITS VISUAL POWER AND METAPHORICAL EXULTATION. IN THOSE PARTS IN WHICH I WAS DRAWN INTO A LITERALIST/REALIST VIEW, IT WAS LESS SO. THE TWO MEN IN THE GROUP WITH WHICH I SAW IT SEEMED DETERMINED TO GO WITH THE REALIST/POLITICAL/LINEAR READING AND THEY DID NOT LIKE IT VERY MUCH--ONE EVEN WENT SO FAR AS TO COMPARE IT TO PRETTY WOMAN. I DON'T THINK I WOULD PUT IT IN MY TOP 1993 FILMS I DON'T HAVE A LIST BUT IT WOULD BE HEADED UP BY STRICTLY BALLROOM QUIRKY, FUNNY, ROMANTIC. IT WAS ONE OF THE FEW (MAYBE THE ONLY) FILMS I'VE SEEN IN RECENT TIMES THAT DID NOT LET ME DOWN IN SOME WAY. JUST MY OPINION KAL Kal Alston 236c Education--UIUC 1310 S. 6th Street Champaign, Il 61820 217-333-4382 [log in to unmask]