The Glorias is a unique style of biopic about Womens’ Rights Activist Gloria Steinem. The film moves between her adult years and childhood, with Julianne Moore portraying an older Steinhem. The film starts with her childhood with a mother on the verge of emotional collapse and her father doing what he can to make money, but usually ending up participating in scams. The film goes back and forth between her young days and into her life in New York and traveling. Older Gloria holds the hand, or has a conversation with her younger self. Where the film shines is where it opens up the stage and puts other famous figures of Women’s Movement front and center alongside.
The film does not shy away from Gloria’s days gathering intel at the Playboy club for one of her most infamous articles about sexism. Interestingly enough, the film starts it off as if she’s just quit her job due to sexism and then goes into this life. If you aren’t aware of Steinem’s life or writing, it may seem like working for Playboy was her goal, which is like not at all what happened. However, the film does do a great job of showing the absolute awful sexism of the 1960s.
The film walks a careful line, trying to not make her too white savior, but while still showing her activism. The film is careful to have black women speak for themselves, make their statements and point out oppression. Famous figures in the fight are represented as front and center, putting Gloria on the sidelines. I’m impressed, actually. Jonelle Monae blows it out of the water in this movie as Dorothy Pitman Hughes. We have Kimberly Guerrero as Wilma Mankiller. We have Monica Sanchez as Dolores Huertes. Lorraine Toussaint is inspired as Flo Kennedy. Oh, and the amazing Bette Miler steps in as Bella Abzug. If none of these names sound familiar, please, please please go look up these fantastic crusaders.
I absolutely loved this movie and am thrilled that in the past few years we’ve gotten amazing films on women in history. The Glorias continues this amazing trend and hopefully leads us to more.
The Glorias will be available for purchase on Digital and Streaming exclusively on Prime Video September 30” .
