Antonia's Line MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -3

Film is unrated but would probably be an R based on content] Oscar winner for best foreign language film of 1995, ANTONIA'S LINE follows four generations of a Dutch farm-woman's extended family. It begins as Antonia returns home with her daughter after 20 years to be with her dying mother. When Antonia's daughter, Danielle, decides to become a single mother, she and Antonia meet Letta, who helps them find a suitable father. Danielle has a gifted daughter, Therese, who becomes a math professor and music composer. Letta and her sons move in with Antonia's family, and the oldest son falls in love with Therese. Together they have Sarah, the narrator of the story. This English subtitled movie about an unconventional woman, her children, and the extended relationships of a small farm village is sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic but only moderately entertaining.

Numerous objectionable elements include very bizarre behavior ridiculing the Catholic Church. At Antonia's funeral, Danielle imagines her grandmother sitting up in the coffin singing My Blue Heaven while a statue of Christ turns his head to listen. She also imagines an angel statue in the village cemetery slapping a priest. A priest preaches on sins of lust and Jezebel, and later is caught having unconventional sex in a confession booth. Danielle sees a statue of Mary smile and nod to her, implying acceptance of unwed motherhood. Bedroom scenes are numerous between the women and their lovers, some with breast nudity. Danielle begins a lesbian relationship with Therese's teacher, and they are shown kissing nude on a bed. Nudity, mostly breast, includes female full frontal in one scene and some rear male nudity. A rapist is attacked with a pitchfork and is later beaten and drowned. A recluse who teaches existential philosophy commits suicide when life has no meaning. Although it is honest and accepting of others, its ridicule of the church, atheistic teaching and rejection of traditional family values make ANTONIA'S LINE one to drop.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: First Look Pictures