Parents' Guide to

Seeing Allred

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Docu about lawyer for victims of sex crimes, inequity.

Movie NR 2018 95 minutes
Seeing Allred Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

Tracking Gloria Allred from her earliest years to the current day, directors Roberta Grossman and Sophie Sartain offer an intimate picture of a woman of great passion in SEEING ALLRED. As a young single mother teaching in Los Angeles' Watts district, having been the victim of an assault herself, Allred returned to law school so that she could become an advocate. Using newsreel footage along with interviews with clients, peers, and notable legal minds, the directors draw an outline of their subject. Then, to fill it in, they focus on extensive conversations and singular events with Allred herself. She's seen beside a bevy of victims of sexual assault as they accuse celebrity predators, relentlessly fighting to remove statutes of limitations for victims, and literally holding up those who speak out despite their vulnerability. Aware of detractors who question her motives and her methods, Allred simply moves forward, exposing those with ugly secrets, championing the near-voiceless, and willing herself to make a difference.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Controversial because of who she is and those she represents and opposes, Gloria Allred is a dynamic subject at a critical moment for a film about women's ongoing battle against historic injustices. Allred has a multitude of fans and just as many critics. Significantly, according to this movie, her clients and those for whom she has worked on a pro bono basis laud her contributions and her support. While not ignoring those who malign her as "pushy," or "in it for the money" or "the glory," the filmmakers attempt to give an in-depth picture of her place in the last half century of significant legal struggles. And, given the breadth of the influence she's wielded, their assessment is positive.

Seeing Allred is well-structured, moving back and forth over decades to show how consistent this advocate has been, how prescient in some cases. Fighting a store chain for labeling sections of their stores "Toys for Boys" and "Toys for Girls" was laughed at in 1979, but would be imperative in the 21st century. A telling moment occurs when Allred is being verbally attacked by a heckler who is literally in her face. Though one can see that the lawyer is deeply affected by the assault, she stands her ground. A fitting documentary for a woman who is willing to defray the costs of being mocked in order to foster change.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the various goals of filmmaking: to inform, entertain, or persuade. What's the primary purpose of Seeing Allred? Why is it important to understand the filmmakers' purpose?

  • The film covers more than 50 years in the history of women's legal issues. What has changed since Allred began her battle against injustice and discrimination? What hasn't changed?

  • Directors Grossman and Sartain have incorporated many negative comments and opinions of Allred and her work, though overall it presents a positive picture. Do you think all together it's a balanced view? Why or why not? Where would you go to find out more about Gloria Allred?

  • What character strengths does this documentary reinforce?

Movie Details

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