Beloved

Beloved is a film adaptation of the same-named novel. It was produced by Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions, and stars Danny Glover and Winfrey, receiving several nominations from the Academy Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and the Chicago Film Critics. The film occurs during Reconstruction, focusing on Sethe (played by Winfrey), a former slave and starts with a vengeful spirit terrorizing her and her three children, with her two boys leaving forever. A decade later, Sethe lives with only her daughter, Denver. The character Paul D. (played by Danny Glover), an old friend from Sethe's plantation days, finds Sethe's home and chases off the spirit. Thereafter, he proposes to remain with Sethe, who agrees. Shortly after Paul moves in, a woman named Beloved stumbles into Sethe's yard, soon moving in as well. Denver is delighted having Beloved around but discovers that Beloved is Sethe's reincarnated daughter. Regardless, she hides this from Sethe. During one night, keen to Paul's distrust of her her, Beloved magically immobilizes and sexually assaults him. Paul plains to explain this to Sethe, but tells co-worker Stamp Paid first. Stamp, whom has known Sethe for years, pulls a news clipping about her and reads the story, a tragic and lengthy tale of violation and betrayal, to Paul. Chilled by this twist and suddenly comprehending the origin of the specter, Paul confronts Sethe. She justifies her decision, wanting that her children be buried, rather than shackled. Paul leaves soon after in refusal, where Sethe discovers Beloved's true nature. With bittersweet acceptance, Sethe spoils Beloved, simultaneously ignoring Denver. Beloved soon acquires a destructive side, corrupting and worsening the house. The women sink into a life of squalor with Sethe jobless. Denver broods, but eventually snaps out of it, recalling her grandmother's faith in the girl, and leaves the house. After finding employment, Denver's co-worker arranges things so that women from the local church can visit and comfort her family. While the women arrive and praise God, Denver's co-worker visits to give her a ride. Reminded of her past, Sethe lunges at the co-worker with an icepick. Sethe is restrained by Denver and company, while Beloved passes on. Cleansed of Beloved's influence, Sethe becomes bedridden for life. A few months later, Paul runs into Denver, noticing her transformation into a strong woman. When he later visits Sethe, now a despondent invalid. Paul assures her that Denver and he will now care for her. Sethe remarks "I don't see the point" since Beloved is gone. He disagrees, telling Sethe that she is her own best thing, not Beloved.