Parents' Guide to

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Compelling docu traces decades-old LGBTQ fight for justice.

Movie NR 2017 105 minutes
The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson Poster Image

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What's the Story?

THE DEATH AND LIFE OF MARSHA P. JOHNSON follows the efforts of Victoria Cruz, a NYC transgender advocate, to re-open a decades-old cold case. After Marsha P. Johnson (born Malcolm Michaels) was pulled from the Hudson River on July 6, 1992, police declared her death a suicide. Law enforcement's designation has never been accepted by the LGBTQ community. Theories range from mob involvement to homophobic violence. Marsha was an outspoken trans activist, dubbed "The Rosa Parks of the LGBTQ movement." She, along with the forceful Sylvia Rivera, was a prominent voice and face of the NYC trans community. Marginalized even by members of the gay and lesbian culture, Johnson and Rivera were determined to advance the trans cause and help their brothers and sisters. Using historical footage of protests, marches, and personal statements, as well as up-to-date interviews and efforts by Cruz to unravel the mystery, director David France portrays a specific tragedy and weaves it into the fabric of the whole movement.

Is It Any Good?

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A mysterious death is the lens through which award-winning documentarian David France focuses his perceptive eye on the continuing fight for justice by the LGBTQ community. France uses history to illuminate the present. Marsha P. Johnson's story is the through-line of the film. However, it isn't as much her life that is explored as the lives and purpose of those who joined her in her efforts, and those who came after her. Victoria Cruz is a particularly strong advocate; her resolve to provide closure to a community is admirable. By spending some time on the 2016 murder of NY transgender woman Islan Nettles, the film ups the ante and provides context for the outrage surrounding her death and the light sentence her killer received.

The film is not without flaws. The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson isn't always structured in the most cohesive way, and Marsha's life isn't at its center. Still, the message is absolutely clear. Lots for older teens and parents to discuss.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Parents can talk about awareness of controversial issues, and how information and insight changes understanding and behavior. Of what value is a movie like The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson to people who are not a part of the LGBTQ community? What is the meaning of the expression "to change hearts and minds?"

  • Was the filmmaking team successful in making Marsha P. Johnson's story relevant to ongoing LGBTQ issues? What do you think has changed since the death of Marsha P. Johnson? What hasn't?

  • The movie spotlighted a wide company of activists and members of the LGBTQ community. Marsha's life story was often in the background in favor of deeper portrayals of Victoria Cruz, Sylvia Rivera, Randy Wicker, and others. Did you agree with the filmmakers' decision to tell the story this way? Why or why not?

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