Andrea Bowen and Jennie Garth in "Girl, Positive"
courtesy of Lifetime
“Girl, Positive” (Lifetime)

It has become part of the American vernacular to refer to certain movies as belonging to a group known as “Lifetime Movies.” This usually means the movie has a message and perhaps is told in overly dramatic tones. The truth is there are “Lifetime Movies” which serve an important purpose by relating facts that are presented in a dramatic way through a cinematic experience. Such is the case with the “Lifetime” movie titled “Girl, Positive.”

This new original movie being presented on Lifetime this month deals with persons testing HIV- positive, and the impact it can have on their lives. The central focus is Rachel Sandler, played by Andrea Bowen. Rachel is a high school student who has a steady boyfriend and a carefree attitude about sex. She and her friends do not think about it too seriously though they are careful not to have unprotected sex.

One day Rachel learns that a boy she was intimate with had tested HIV-positive before he died in a car wreck. Now she is in a panic that she might be positive too. She is friends with a substitute teacher by the name of Sarah Bennett (Jennie Garth). Sarah works at an Aids Clinic so Rachel turns to her for help.

The focus of this movie is to show that kids are blindly indulging in behavior for which they think there are no consequences. Rachel learns that she is at risk as are all her friends. It only takes one infected person to infect many, many others. That is the message of “Girl, Positive” and it is a valid one.

Andrea Bowen plays Teri Hatcher’s daughter on “Desperate Housewives” and therefore she is a high profile young actress. It was very brave of her to take on a role such as this one. Garth is also a teen icon thanks to her role on “Beverly Hills 90210.” Her appearance in a movie such as this can have a positive impact.

“Girl, Positive” is a “Lifetime movie” in every sense of the word. It is an entertaining movie as well as one that delivers a message. Parents should watch this movie with their children. It might even help to save a life.

“Girl, Positive” premieres Monday, June 25 at 9PM on the Lifetime Channel.
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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