Scope of Practice (2014) User Reviews

It can happen to anyone.

[pmtidwell · 10/10 · 1 November 2015]

there are women out there married to men worth millions who live in palaces and mansions being abused by them. The terrible problem of Domestic violence is that it doesn't discriminate. IT affects the poor, it affects the rich. There is no "typical victim." the abusers can be anyone, they look any way, they can be successful, the entire community can be behind them and protective towards them, the cops can fail to realize it, an entire code of silence can sit behind it.

I applaud the film, Especially for a vigilante who did what it took to put an end to it.

Hero. Thank you for telling the truth of Domestic violence. It Affects the Rich as well the poor.

The girl here was clearly not from the lower class

Poignant and gut wrenching.

[nhingley-40966 · 8/10 · 26 March 2017]

Im not a movie critic, but a student studying psychology, which is how i happened upon this films listing on Youtube. The story was told in such a way that it kept the viewer wanting for more, it also spoke to me in a professional capacity as i know i will be placed in similar situations in the future. This also brings to light many of the features of domestic violence that most may not be aware of. I have already sent the link to other students, and friends in similar industries to the ones portrayed in this film. I would like to see more films of this content and calibre.

A surprising film showcasing a solid subject matter and a tight directorial feel....

[jreboy · 9/10 · 14 November 2014]

I recently had the opportunity to catch a theatrical screening of the short film "Scope of Practice" by fellow WNY filmmaker Brandyn T. Williams. The film did NOT meet my expectations (see the last paragraph for more on that point...) and it occurred to me that something needs to happen.

Brandyn needs to leave Buffalo... seriously...

He needs to go as far away from here as possible and get properly reimbursed for his work in a market that can and does support artists. Most of us here that waste precious pixels on storytelling are busy escaping our lives for a short bit by making fanciful and popcorny stories. Nothing wrong with that at all... It's fun, it entertains, and it lets us leave some sort of mark on the world that we existed as opposed to useless paperwork at a useless office.

Brandyn's film, a carefully crafted piece of storytelling, wisely avoids excess and builds credible characters with what probably involved some real directing of the actors. Performances that are very believable and warm encourage a confident directorial style that ignores flourish in favor of pressing the one constant drumbeat... of a man facing a hard choice to be what he had always grown up to be... someone who won't let it happen.

The film benefits greatly from the use of higher-end camera equipment most of us couldn't hope to afford, but even if it had been shot with a DSLR the effort to involve actual emergency vehicles and police vehicles, crane camera-work, recognizable public locations, etc... and to film those things in a very calm, measured manner, reserving flourish for only one or two quietly impressive shots, makes this piece of film all the more satisfying.

I had a real concern watching this that it might become a tired after-school-special type of affair, heavy on emotional context but without substance, but where a lesser director would have played on our heartstrings for the plight of Arlynn Knauff's abused housewife, Brandyn focuses instead on his surrogate character and the internal conflict of knowing the right path, but being pushed far from it. It's a theme that deserves exploration in a full feature.

"Scope of Practice" Reminds Us That Favoritism Can Be Overcome, A Film Review By Alec Frazier and Autistic Reality

[alecfrazier · 8/10 · 12 January 2015]

Criminals often get what they are due: punishment by the penal system and condemnation by their community. However, as real life events can tell us, there are still many criminals who do not get what they deserve. For example, in 1992, Nicole Brown Simpson was murdered and the person responsible, her husband OJ Simpson, was let off by the courts. Why is this? Why do these horrible people get away with horrible things? The answer in most of the cases is favoritism. In OJ Simpson's case, he was a famous football player with fantastic lawyers. Other crimes by people of privilege throughout the country and the world, both past and present, may come to mind at this moment.

Enter onto the scene the film "Scope of Practice" BeWILderedMedia Productions, and directed and written by Brandyn T. Williams. In this film, a rookie EMT named Derek Reynolds (Chris Barbis). Derek is called to the scene when Emma Phillips (Arlynn Knauff) apparently falls down the stairs at the home where she lives with her husband, Buffalo football player Donnie Phillips (Matt Fleck). Derek notices a footprint on Emma's back, and suspects spousal abuse. He reports the fact, and waits for a result. I won't try to ruin the film for you, but I can summarize the rest by mentioning that it is about the lengths to which Derek will go to see Donnie held responsible for his crimes.

For you see, Donnie Phillips holds a great deal of favoritism within the local community. He is a celebrity. Not just that, but he is a football player. To digress on this for a moment, America has what I believe is an unhealthy fixation with every little minute detail of American football. It is a gladiatorial sport, where we see people beat each other up on a field, and we encourage bad behavior from many of the players, because we believe that it shows that they are more of a man. These are unhealthy values to have. A real man would not beat the person he says he loves. A real man would admit to wrongdoings for which he is responsible. However, just like OJ Simpson, Donnie Phillips' prestige in the community tends to keep him out of trouble.

Unfortunately, Derek Reynolds realizes that overcoming the favoritism held by Donnie Phillips will probably risk him his job and his safety. Are those risks worth the effort to ensure Emma's safety? That is the key question that "Scope of Practice" addresses. At the end of the day, the film teaches us that favoritism can be overcome, a good lesson for anyone and any community.

When it comes to rating this film, I choose four out of five stars. It is a very good film, but it doesn't call to me the way a five- star film like "A Grim Becoming" does.

This review is both the personal opinion of Alec Frazier, and the professional policy of his advocacy firm, Autistic Reality. If you oppose it, please screen grab it! We are very proud of this opinion!

correct

[Kirpianuscus · 1 November 2020]

A correct film about a delicate social problem. Well crafted, realistic in each detail, precise and nuanced. Short, just great job about idealism, domestic violence, public image and taboos, mariage and moral duty.