As a new mom, Benson is less-than-thrilled with an abrupt diagnosis of breast cancer. As an aspiring filmmaker, she and her friends camera-up and begin documenting the journey. Her First Run Features documentary is the award-winning result; it (as the DVD box attests) mixes 'verite footage with home videos and family photographs' to provide a glimpse into a harrowing experience. Benson doesn't stint on the uncomfortable or private details. An emotional healing circle displays her friends' and family's raw emotions, drainage tubes and plastic bags outline raw processes, nude portraits starkly reveal what is lost, and grim statistics cap things off. That is until Benson closes her account with images of poetic hope.

However, the strong, stoic, sometimes acerbic New Yorker sublimates her own emotion so well that little comes through to the viewer. This aspect, in concert with a short run time, turns what might have been an emotional powerhouse into a professionally distanced summation. The filmmaker herself notes on-camera how she hasn't cried during the ordeal - only once does she let herself go - lending Dear Talula an air of a truncated survivor's manual. I'll admit, however, that it's refreshing to watch a medical documentary of this sort that doesn't target the maudlin by default. Furthermore, this unblinking, unsentimental (well, not too-sentimental) effort is probably just the thing needed for women facing breast cancer - presumptively Benson's target audience.

With no moments allowed to stay past their welcome, Dear Talula whips right along, making Benson's stressful journey one of just-intimated strength, forthrightness and humor. And these are all things women (and their support circles) facing breast cancer will crave. Dear Talula is probably the first thing someone facing this diagnosis should watch. Despite the inclusion of early, touching scenes of Benson's infant daughter, those expecting a three-hankie, in-depth analysis of breast cancer or Benson's emotional life will leave nonplused. In Benson's documentary world, there's little time for emotional processing, there's precious little room for weeping; and, skirting those issues, this realistic, solid documentary seems to lack that ineffable something. Just a touch is missing.

The DVD

Video:
Archival footage and snapshots, plus handheld camcorder documentation, place this 1.33:1 ratio transfer in the documentary class where your video monitor doesn't really matter. Obviously we're not talking about reference quality material, and of course it's unimportant anyway. The transfer itself is perfectly fine and no compression artifacts or otherwise mar the source material.

Sound:
Stereo audio is dependable, providing a rich palette for an at-times haunting score. Dialog is sometimes of the direct-to-camcorder variety, but never inaudible or unintelligible. Dear Talula's mix balances its elements well for a satisfactory listening experience.

Extras:
A brief prescription of extras further limns Dear Talula out to be an empowering resource for women with breast cancer. Who's On Your Team? is a two-and-a-half-minute promotion made in conjunction with Lee Denim Jeans. Its successful aim is to underscore the importance of having a strong base of support in your fight against cancer. A DVD-Rom Breast Cancer Guidebook is included too. Lori Benson Outreach and Speaking Information (five minutes) illuminates Benson's post-operation mission to help other women with cancer, using clips from her appearance on The View among others. Finally, a Photo Gallery closes things up.

Final Thoughts:
Dear Talula takes a straightforward approach to showing Lori Benson's battle with breast cancer. Tender glimpses of her life as a new mother quickly turn into a no-nonsense examination of the illness and all the trappings involved in its treatment. This tough mentality seems to blunt or evade some emotional components, and coupled with a 34 minute runtime, Dear Talula ends up feeling more like a brief, semi-intimate guidebook than your standard devastating disease weep-fest. This DVD is highly recommended for cancer patients, but - as shallow as it sounds - documentary fans seeking catharsis will need to keep looking, although they might want to Rent It.

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