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Five
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Short films reveal emotional impact of breast cancer.
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Five
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What's the Story?
FIVE is an anthology of short films directed by Jennifer Aniston, Alicia Keys, Demi Moore, Patty Jenkins, and Penelope Spheeris about the multiple physical and emotional ways that breast cancer affects men and women during different stages of the disease. The series of short features stars Jeanne Tripplehorn as Pearl, an oncologist who has both a professional and personal connection to breast cancer, and whose life becomes interconnected with the journeys of other women who have or are struggling with the disease, including her mother Charlotte (Ginnifer Goodwin), and patients like Mia (Patricia Clarkson), Cheyanne (Lyndsy Fonseca), and Lili (Rosario Dawson). Helping tell their stories is an all-star cast, which includes veteran actors like Annie Potts, Kathy Najimy, Tony Shalhoub, Jeffrey Tambor, and Alan Ruck.
Is It Any Good?
While each film approaches the subject matter differently, all five of them take a witty and poignant look into the lives of people who have breast cancer. Each story line also incorporates a variety of facts about the disease, survival statistics, and various treatment options. But what makes the overall project successful is its powerful and very human portrayal of the emotional journey people are forced to take when they are diagnosed with and/or are fighting breast cancer.
Because the disease continues to affect the lives of millions of women (and thousands of men) world-wide, some viewers will find these films difficult to watch. But those who choose to do so will find an ensemble of creative and well-directed features that underscore the idea that despite the horror of this disease, there will always be room for hope and love while battling it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the media's relationship with breast cancer. What messages do you see about breast cancer on TV, in movies, advertisements, etc.? Is there anything missing from how the media portrays the disease? What's up with all the pink?
What message do you take away from these short films? Can you see the differences in directorial style between the films or are they all very similar? Why are such big names attached to this effort?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: October 2, 2012
- Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin , Patricia Clarkson , Rosario Dawson
- Directors: Jennifer Aniston , Patty Jenkins
- Inclusion Information: Female directors, Female actors, Black actors, Indigenous actors, Latino actors
- Studio: Sony Pictures
- Genre: Documentary
- Character Strengths: Courage , Empathy , Perseverance
- Run time: 87 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: October 8, 2022
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