The Vagina Monologues
2002
Comedy / Documentary / Drama

The Vagina Monologues
2002
Comedy / Documentary / Drama
Plot summary
This controversial work, created and performed by Eve Ensler, debuted off-off-Broadway in 1996 and soon rode a wave of national acclaim. Now, the intimacy of Ensler's original show has been lovingly brought to the screen. Capturing her unique performance, the film also follows Ensler as she explores the creative impetus behind the monologues and conducts a series of new interviews as inspiring as those that brought about the original work
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
No One is Indifferent to It
Tries to do too much
The Vagina Monologues is a great concept, but ultimately it just bites off way more than it can chew. On one hand, it tries to be relatable to Western audiences by discussing issues such as tampons, Pap smears, and run-of-the-mill bad sex, which is great. On the other, it goes a little heavy-handed and discusses issues like rape in the developing world and female genital mutilation, which are fine as topics, but can't be addressed so briefly or in conjunction with tampon humour.
The major problem with The Vagina Monologues is really that it tries to force a concept of "global sisterhood" that isn't really organic to its content. Just because female genital mutilation and Pap smears both involve a vagina does not mean the connection between them isn't utterly tenuous, and doesn't mean they should be in the same play.
I wrote more about this here:
http://toohardtofindaurl.blogspot.com/2011/02/vagina-monologues.html