Seeing Allred

Seeing Allred is a compelling documentary film released in 2018 that casts a spotlight on the iconic feminist attorney Gloria Allred who, for over four decades, has remained a relentless crusader for women's rights and equality. This engaging film, directed by Roberta Grossman and Sophie Sartain, delivers a profound portrait of Allred - who has been both celebrated and vilified - and the battles she has relentlessly waged on behalf of victims of sexual assault and discrimination.

The documentary opens with a montage of Allred's media appearances, showcasing her not just as an attorney but as a media personality in her own right. This sets the stage, providing a backdrop against which the viewer gets to know more about her tireless advocacy, resilient spirit, and the life experiences that shaped her beliefs.

Featuring interviews with Allred herself, alongside her daughter and fellow attorney Lisa Bloom, the film provides an unfiltered look into Allred's life both in and out of the courtroom. Her interview in the film is both candid and inspiring, as she shares reflections on her personal experiences with rape, abortion, and single motherhood. She lays bare her journey from her modest beginnings to becoming one of the most recognized attorneys fighting for women's rights in America.

Apart from Allred’s personal explorations, the film also features interviews with her clients, all victims of high-profile sex crimes and discrimination cases. Without delving into the intimate details of their situations, it effectively reveals the plight of these victims, permitting the viewers to appreciate Allred's fierce devotion to their cause.

Seeing Allred also smartly recounts some of Allred's most famous legal battles. Among them are cases against Bill Cosby, then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, and the pursuit of equal rights for women in exclusive men's clubs. In these cases, Allred didn’t just act as an attorney but as a spokesperson, amplifying the voices of her clients through national and international media. The film highlights these cases while emphasizing Allred's strategic use of the media to aid her legal battles, painting a broader picture of her professional strategies.

An important section of the film is devoted to her role during the 2016 presidential election where Hillary Clinton, another influential woman, is featured. As Allred throws her weight behind Clinton, the film surrounds the viewers with the fervor of the election and the historic potential of America’s first female president. It also delves into Allred’s high-profile feud with Trump, further escalating the tension.

Throughout the documentary, Allred is presented as a fearless challenger willing to go toe-to-toe with powerful adversaries in the name of justice. While the film dodges charges of Allred's perceived media manipulation, it underscores the tactic as a necessary means in her fight for her clients, many of whom have been faceless victims in a system that has often overlooked their rights.

Behind her public image as a determined lawyer, the film also delves into Allred’s personal life. Seeing Allred invites the viewer not just into her public and professional life but also into her domestic one - scenes at home, doing regular things like decking a Christmas tree, show the human side of Allred, seldom seen by the public.

Despite its primary focus on Allred’s work, the film goes beyond by weaving in the broader context of the struggle for women's rights in America over the past 40 years. From discrimination at work to sex crimes to the fight for equality, the film shows how Allred's battles have contributed significantly to these struggles.

In essence, Seeing Allred is an exploration of an iconic legal career, a trailblazing fighter for women’s rights, and a deeply personal journey of resilience. It pays tribute to her indomitable spirit, tracing the arc of her fascinating journey while recounting the numerous battles she has fought (and continued to fight) in the courtrooms and outside. It is an inspiring testament to a singular life dedicated to advocating for equality and justice, told through the eyes of one of the toughest personalities in the legal world. While the film doesn’t shy away from criticisms of Allred, it paints an overwhelmingly positive portrait of a woman who, regardless of how she may be viewed, has left an indelible mark on history. It is a riveting chronicle of one of America's most recognized advocates, a powerful symbol of resilience and justice that is both enlightening and inspiring.