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The whole perception of society, marriage,
and spousal abuse is put under the microscope, as director Foster-Algoo
examines the whole picture of man and woman and how many times men can
be victims too. Foster-Algoo first sets up the film as Adam is with his
children in a stand off, and he’s depicted as a somewhat possessive
husband. But throughout the course of the film, we not only learn that
abuse is not just a woman’s cross to bear, but he also challenges our
thoughts on the sexes, and how we instantly perceive the man as the
violent aggressor, and the woman as the submissive persona. The funny
thing is many of you won’t realize that you’ve made a snap judgment, and
that’s what Foster-Algoo aspires and succeeds with. Foster-Algoo’s film is original
because it focuses on a rarely touched upon topic.
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Many times men can be abused by
their spouses, and just because of their sex, aren’t always
strong enough to fight back. Are women always the victims of
mental and physical abuse? If they are the provider of
abuse, are they justified? If they are, is the man who
provides abuse also justified? Those are complex questions
that Foster-Algoo challenges his audience with by posing, and
re-adjusts our whole perspective on marital roles and shows
how children aren’t fixated on the sex of the relationship,
but more on situations |
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The
children focused on during "Mantis" don’t take into mind who is the
man or the woman, but more who is torturing the other. Often
times when the male is being abused in a relationship our natural
response is “He probably had it coming,” or we scoff it off as
playful, but “Mantis” shows that abuse of any kind, on any sex, in
any form is horrible, and painful, and Foster-Algoo shows that with a brave
film with engaging characters. Foster-Algoo wisely switches roles and
explores the situations of normal spousal abuse. This can happen to
men, this will happen to men, but “Mantis” shows a true reality;
society is on the woman’s side, whether she’s the victim or the
attacker.
Adam’s wife batters him, undermines
him, and humiliates him, while later performing acts of kindness and
promising to never do it again. The situations, especially for
battered woman, will really hit home, and then you’ll find yourself
hard pressed to take abuse of any kind as simple. Alice’s power lies
not so much in her strength, but more in her ability to carry
herself as strong, and powerful and hordes it over Adam, and it
intimidates him. His perception of himself is used to her advantage
and that opens the lines for abuse.
Foster-Algoo’s film is not an easy watch. It’s a
horrible, and tragic tale of spousal abuse, and the effect it can have
on the children, but it for once explores the abuse men can endure in
relationships with women, and that’s what makes “Mantis” brilliant. If
you think spousal abuse is exclusive only to women, “Mantis” is worth
watching to erase that sentiment.
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