COLOR OF LOVE
US, 2021, 88 minutes, Colour.
Deborah Joy Winans, Michael Brown, Sarah Abbott, Rachel Wilson, Duane Murray, Leo Orgil, Shechinah Mpumlwana.
Directed by Don McBrearty.
This film is introduced as being based on a true story. It has a Pennsylvania setting, the city of Pittsburgh which features quite attractively throughout the film.
The issue is foster care, and possibilities for adoption. While there are many difficulties with finding appropriate foster care for orphaned children, there are many successes. And the possibilities for relationships to develop and lead to adoption. And this is the case here.
However, the title of the film indicates a difficulty which some see as insurmountable: mixed race adoption.
The central character is an exuberant woman, Monica (Deborah Joy Winans), five years widowed when her police officer husband was shot in action, mother of two children, a teacher, now deputy principal of the school. She has participated with the adoption agency by taking in foster children temporarily. She has taken in a brother and sister twice before, Rachel and Peter, and, when they run away from foster care, the carer asks Monica to take them in again.
Monica is a happy, loving and life-giving woman. There is also the possibility of marrying again, Theo (Michael Brown). But, with Rachel and Peter returning, and her children bonding with them so well, she decides on adoption.
The head of the adoption agency is particularly severe, against the adoption, ready to find any fault that will prevent it. On the other hand, the carer is supportive and suggests a lawyer. Theo, who has had a hard experience and his own childhood, does not warm to the situation and is also conscious of the mixed race difficulties. Both sets of children are in favour of the adoption.
With some difficulties at school for Rachel, the head of the agency orders the children withdrawn from Monica’s care. She is religious, churchgoing, the local pastor advises her and put you in contact with a parishioner who is a television compere. Monica appears, states her case with force and emotion, many people watching, including Theo who is moved by it.
The end of the film has the court case, please stated by Monica as well as the children, hostility from the aged care authority.
This is a film which makes its appeal through attractive characters, through sentiment, sentimental perhaps, but with an important cause.
- Based on a true story? Adoption issues? Race issues? A Pennsylvania case?
- The city of Pittsburgh, the vistas, the family home, school and interiors, child-welfare offices, the courts? The musical score?
- The situation with orphans, institutions, bureaucracies? Foster parenting? Successes and failures? Children running away? Caseworkers, concern, prejudices? The courts and judges’ decisions?
- Monica, a genial character, the audience liking her, her exuberance, her life, the strong bond with her mother, her husband and his being killed in police action, her two children, bonding with them, educator, Deputy principal of the school? Her relationship with Theo, the possibility of their being together? The children’s attitude?
- The story of Rachel and Peter, cared for by their grandmother, her death, taken into care, foster care, their running away, harsh treatment by foster parents? Staying with Monica and her family, three visits, the feeling more at home? Stephanie, working on their case, rescuing them, the promises, taking them to Monica? Stephanie and her continued concern? Bill, in charge, racial prejudice, severity, orders to Stephanie, for the children to be removed from Monica? His appearance in the court and testimony?
- Monica, caring for Rachel and Peter, compassion? Welcoming them into the home, Rachel sharing with fear, Peter sharing with the young son, their bonding? The meals? Peter coming out of himself? Rachel, reserved, yet bonding with Leah, situations at school, her being attacked, charity case, the second time, pushing the girl, the principal and accused of fighting? This being used against her by Bill? The issue of her studies, failing, not asking help from Monica, the great improvement with Monica helping?
- The issues with Theo, bonding with the family, the revelation about his own upbringing, orphan, foster, the difficulty of black boys being adopted, adopted last? His professional career, coming to terms with his life? The adoption issue challenging his beliefs, race issues? Monica loving him, yet his keeping a distance?
- Monica, the decision for adoption, raising it at the table, the children agreeing? Discussions with Stephanie, Stephanie warning about difficulties? Suggesting the lawyer?
- The religious background, grace before meals, God talk in the house, going to church, the Reverend, his sermons, the emphasis on love, everybody welcome, Monica going to the church, the conversation with the Reverend? His putting her in touch with the television interviewer? The interview, her talk, being watched by everyone, the effect on Theo?
- Going to the court, the lawyer, Stephanie, Theo present, the judge, hearing the testimonies, Monica, Peter, Rachel, their pleas?
- The judge, his decision, in favour, happiness, the photo of the whole family, the shared meal?
- Serious issues, the emotional impact?
