The inspirational film Raising Izzie arrives on DVD and it’s a winner for faith and family values. Taking on a trio of standards the drama offers moving challenges that can be overcome with understanding and trust. I often feel that there are never enough movies that present solutions for those who are lost in life’s problems, then a sweet uplifting film like Raising Izzie comes along and I realize that there’s still hope.
It’s another school day and 14-year-old Gertie hustles to get her younger sister Izzie ready for school. She’s been going through the same routine for a year since her mother died leaving her alone to raise the 8-year-old. Not wanting the girls separated in Foster Care, the cancer victim chose to set up a home, easy to use bank account for expenses and had plenty of time to teach her daughter how to care for her sister.
After walking her sister to school, Gertie arrives at her Middle School where she finds Mrs. Freeman has taken over the Math class. Since it’s important to find out about her students she asks Gertie why her mother did not return the forms she sent out. Sidestepping her teacher, Gertie makes an excuse that seems suspicious to Mrs. Freeman. When an accidental fire finds the two girls out on the street one evening Gertie chooses to find temporary shelter at the middle school where she runs into Mrs. Freeman.
The movie starts to pick up pace with several issues coming into play leading to compromises, turning away from faith in God and mistrust in your fellow man. Director Roger M. Bobb most noted for episodes of the TV series House of Payne works his script well developing the situations, showing weaknesses and then turning despair into hope. Although his plot’s a simple one, he makes it fresh bringing many issues to light that offers answers with empathy, trust in God, kindness and blindness of racial differences.
His actors are up for the task with Victoria Elizabeth Staley showing Gertie as a victim wavering over her faith in God due to the death of her mother and the troubles for a 14-year-old being both father and mother to her sister. She shows a strong will and selflessness getting things done for her sister while setting aside the things a girl her age should be enjoying for herself. A wonderful and believable performance that makes the film work keeping it from becoming just another After School Drama.
Vanessa Williams and Rockmond Dunbar do an excellent job of being a couple who are faced with their own personal problems and adding more by getting involved with Gertie and Izzie. Williams makes her character interesting, strong willed and sympathetic to the plight of the children, while Mr. Freeman finds them a threat to his home life. When his wife faces a challenge that adds an unexpected need for courage and Gertie starts to push her doubt in God to the edge, Dunbar works his character into a faith mediator.
Raising Izzie has not been rated by the MPAA, but does contain some adult issues that give it a PG feel. Otherwise the film is an uplifting, heartfelt and family friendly.
The DVD video quality is very good and fills the whole screen of my 16×9 television. The HD quality is sharp and clear with enjoyable sets and locations.
Sound Quality with the Dolby Digital Stereo allows for clear dialogue with very little distortion of any kind.
There are no bonus features mainly because it was originally made for television.
Specifications and additional film information:
Cast: Rockmond Dunbar, Vanessa Williams, Victoria Elizabeth Staley and Kyla Kenedy
Directed by: Roger M. Bobb
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Genre: Inspirational, Family, Drama
Running Time: 1 hr 27 min
Video Release Date: August 6, 2013
Original TV Release Date: July 21, 2013
Language: English
Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo
Video: Widescreen for 16×9 Televisions Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
Subtitles: None
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: RJL Entertainment
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
