Released in 1999, I had never seen The Cider House Rules until a few weeks ago.  I’m not usually into period pieces or Tobey Maguire, so I didn’t expect much.  However, there were some powerful lines about the importance of a woman’s right to choose and to have safe medical treatments available to her once she’s made her choice.  Furthermore, there were some powerful examples of times that removing that choice is truly cruel, regardless of your political beliefs on the matter.

The Cider House Rules is the story of Homer, an orphan boy who never made it out of the orphanage, and has been trained as a doctor by his mentor and father figure, Dr. Larch, who runs the orphanage.  In addition to delivering the babies of women giving their children up for adoption, Dr. Larch offers safe medical abortions to any woman who asks for it.  He doesn’t advertise this service (as it is illegal), and he doesn’t suggest it to women no matter how many times he’s delivered their unwanted babies, but he won’t turn away a woman in need.  When Homer accuses him of playing God in this way, Dr. Larch responds:

Dr. Larch: I have been given the opportunity of playing God or leaving practically everything up to chance. Men and women of conscience should seize those moments when it’s possible to play God. There won’t be many. Do I interfere when absolutely helpless women tell me they simply can’t have an abortion – that they simply must go through with having another and yet another orphan? I do not. I do not even recommend. I just give them what they want.

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*Trigger Warning: This post describes a powerful documentary dealing with topics that may be distressing to some readers*

In 2001, Angela Shelton set out on a search for all the other Angela Sheltons in the United States.  The original Angela had no idea what she would find, but after conducting phone interviews with the other Angelas, a theme emerged in their stories: 24 of the 40 Angela Sheltons had been physically or sexually abused.

The film is a powerful tribute to the strength of survivors of domestic violence, rape, and incest.  Angela Shelton’s personal journey seems to follow seemlessly the interviews with Angelas across the country.  One Angela is amused by the idea of the project, asking “who would want to watch that?” but going along with the interview none the less.  Another deomonstrates how important her faith and family are to her, realizing as an afterthought that she had experienced a rape herself.  One Angela left an abusive situation, another manages to get by as a fast food manager, prioritizing providing for her children.

One of the most powerful voices in the film is that of the Anonymous Angela Shelton, a woman who believes she’s “nothing, less than a dog.”  As the film progresses, we learn that Anonymous Angela is an alcoholic, coping with a history of sexual abuse at the hands of her father.  She never consents to be on film, but she does meet with the original Angela, whom she calls her “godsend.”

Throughout the film, Angela Shelton reveals her own history of abuse.  Her step-brother and step-sister had also been abused, and provide their voices to illustrate Angela’s story.  By chance, one Angela Shelton who tracks sexual predators lives in the same town as Angela’s perpetrator: her father.  On Father’s Day Angela appears at his doorstep, confronting the man who victimized her as a young girl.  Following the powerful reunion of father and daughter, perpetrator and victim, Angela experiences an emotional catharsis, epitomizing the anger, frustration, and pain that viewers have been drawn into throughout the powerful film.

Searching for Angela Shelton is a difficult film to watch, but incredibly meaningful.  Twenty-four of 40 Angela Sheltons came forward as victims of physical and sexual assault.  Another four came forward after seeing the film – 28 of 40.  This is a reflection of the status of women in America.  Anyone can be an Angela Shelton.

Visit these links to learn more about Searching for Angela Shelton, The Angela Shelton Foundation, and Angela Shelton herself.

*Edit 7/22/09: You can watch the film online in streaming video here!