Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Palindromes
2004
***½
Director: Todd Solondz
Cast: Ellen Barkin, Richard Masur, Matthew Faber, Stephen Adly Guirgis

This powerful and demanding abortion drama doesn't take sides. It argues that no matter which way you look at the issue, you end up in the same place (like palindromes). A pregnant 12-year-old Aviva wants to keep the baby, but her parents convince her to have an abortion. She runs away from home and this trip introduces her to some contradictory characters. Aviva is played by 10 different actors of different age, race, size and gender. Solondz's idea was to let us view Aviva's predicament without prejudice, but this gimmicky technique actually alienates us from the character.