Customer Reviews

Itty Bitty Titty Committee

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

To quote Leslie Felperin's review in Variety, "Great title, shame about the movie."

Actually, the title is only tangentially related to the film. Secondly, the tagline for this movie ("Every generation needs a new revolution") sums up its painfully unaware self-importance.

Not only was the acting shameful, but the dialogue writing was atrocious. It was clear that no editor had been over the script, which can alleviate some of the concerns over acting, but also--even when there are bad lines, you can TELL when someone couldn't deliver them even if they were good. Example: Carly Pope. She is awful. She's especially cringe-worthy when we get glimpses into her non-crusty self, because the actress only knows how to yell or be mean. The scene at the marriage rally in Sacramento, and pseudo-playful lines like, "Jesus, you dykes are such closed-minded b****es," are a) just Godawful, b) could have worked much better if edited or recited better. Trimming it to, "Jesus, you're so closed-minded" or "Stop being a closed-minded dyke!" would have been funnier, and saying it flippantly (in a way Pope likely is incapable of doing) would have vastly improved it. Also, cursing a lot does not make up for talent deficiencies.

Furthermore, there is a lack of likable characters.

Anna is whiney, immature, and her "growth" seems to consist of becoming the epitome of why the mass populace hates feminists / queer activists. She becomes inconsiderate of her family and co-workers, hostile without provocation, and seems to think that self-confidence and self-esteem involve spray-painting her room (in her parents' home) with words like "cock," ignoring customers, snapping at people around her, and storming out of work while demanding, in a presumptuous and volatile manner, that others cover for her. Unlike Megan from But I'm a Cheerleader, who showed personality, dignity, and composure and truly found a grounded sense of self through evolution viewers could directly watch on-screen, Anna shows stagnation, clinginess, and juvenile irresponsibility in her life, throughout the film. It's difficult, then, to see her attractiveness.

The whole film should have been centred around Aggie, one of very few characters I could feel sympathy towards. His role was extremely minor, but he proved to be the only decent human being with sensitivity in the film--he is a great face for the activist movement, contrasting totally with the other whiney, overly aggressive, stand-offish "representatives" for the cause.

While we're on the topic of radicalism, let's talk MONOGAMY, which was a theme that the director/writers seemed to overlook. While fighting marriage, boob jobs, and the other ever-present symbols of patriarchy, they failed to include monogamy in this category. Sadie, the only truly polyamorous character, is continually faulted for her inability to leave a long-term older (and more mainstream) girlfriend, Courtney, in order to commit to her monthly flings. Both Meat and Anna are crushed when she refuses to devote her romantic life exclusively to either of them, and Anna is rebuked for a brief fling with another of the C(i)A members. Paralleling the rest of the film, the director/writers show obliviousness on this issue, much like they show blindness to the clichés of the film by neglecting parody and satire.

Also, the deadpan, hackneyed Smith and Sarah Lawrence references fall completely flat. If you're going to bring up gigantic stereotypes, you've got to have humour to back it up, or show some recognition of how ridiculous it is that you're including the stereotype. There should be some irony and self-conscious snarkiness.

Lacking any of the self-deprecating, self-referential humour that made But I'm a Cheerleader so brilliant and spot-on, IBTC also fails in emotional integrity and complexity, and even sensitivity and exploration. Two-dimensional and sermonising, IBTC is a horrible way to expose non-activists to activism. It is awful misrepresentation. It's just utterly false and trite and caught up in the superficial, stereotyped aspects of radicalism.

In this coming of age story, a young lesbian learns how to rise against the system and defy everything she's learned about what it means to be a woman.

Who best to create a movie about women than a female director? Jamie Babbit, who has worked on "Alias," "The L Word" and "Nip/Tuck," helps the audience see America for the male-dominated society that it is. If SLC Punk! were to meet If These Walls Could Talk 2, the end result would be Itty Bitty Titty Committee. Don't let the star characters' small breasts fool you. Their balls are enormous!

I am so excited to finally own this film. I just ordered it am so excited...Daniela Sea is so pretty and really good in her "brad pitt" role that she steals the show (Well, maybe not the whole show). This is the most fun I have had at a movie in a really long time. This film is filled with fun gags and sexy girls, what more do you need? OK maybe a great story? Well it has that too.....Run, don't walk to get Itty Bitty...

J-

In the late 1970s I saw women wearing "Itty Bitty Titty Committee" t-shirts, as if they had to apologize for having slight builds. The contemporary film ITTY BITTY TITTY COMMITTEE reminds us not enough has changed as its opening scenes depicts lead character Anna working for a cosmetic surgeon catering to women who want to make a besty chesty investy.

While it has its point about the state of double standards in America, ITTY BITTY TITTY COMMITTEE entertains AMERICAN GRAFFITI-style as young Anna, chancing upon a small female activist group trying to raise awareness and make a name for itself, comes of age. The common ideals of the women up against interpersonal drama (lesbian love triangles, to name one distraction) and zero budget, Anna and her new friends see more growing pains than success as the organization attempts to reach the public. As the film concludes, perhaps you'll agree these women can still claim victory in the experience they shared.

ITTY BITTY TITTY COMMITTEE holds your attention throughout. It may be no surprise to find yourself rooting for both the group to hit it big and Anna to figure out where she belongs.

See ITTY BITTY TITTY COMMITTEE.

Thanks Power Up for making films! This is now one of my Favourite films. So Proud to be a member of such an amazing organization!

Grrl power all the way. I loved this movie from beginning to end and will recommend it to everyone I know. I love how the filmmakers took such a daring approach and created a great third-wave feminist film. The direction by Jamie Babbitt is awesome and all the actors bring such strength and integrity to their roles. I think anyone who wants to be inspired to make a change should see this film.

This was a blast. totally irreverent. Daniella Sea and Carley Pope have some the best chemistry i've seen in a lesbian film!

I was blown away by this movie. Most of the other reviews comment on what a great lesbian romantic comedy this is (which it is), but what stood out to me more is the politics and approaches to activism. I was very compelled by the conflict between the culture jamming activism of the CIA (Clits in Action) and the activism of the older partner of the CIA's leader (who is, in the film, head of the National Women's Coalition). For me, this conflict is a rather personal one... do we work within the system for change (through women's organizations and lobbies) or do we take the advice of Audre Lord: that "the master's tools will never dismantle the master's house" and go outside the system as the primary characters in this film do? Is it possible to change society while still following its rules? Is perhaps a combination of both forms of activism best? This film does a great job examining these issues in the midst of humor, warmth and characters that are very compelling and real. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy so I can watch it 30 or 40 times more (thus far I've only seen it once)!

Ok, the title is why I rented it through Netflix, BUT, also the fact that the ever hot Daniela Sea is in it! This youthful and angst filled movie is good, reflecting the anger and confusion of young lesbians and transgendered trying to find their way in a very straight world. The movie was good enough to keep my attention throughout. It had a punk edge to it as well as a sarcastic humor.

A fun film with familiar faces.

I love that the conversation at the dinner table is not around the fact that the leads is a lez, but that she's no longer going out with her girlfriend, that mom loved; a nice change. Daniela Sea and Jenny Shimizu make apperences in this lightly political fun film. Cudos to the women in Hollywood making films for the ladies!