Dove Review

Amanda’s boyfriend just stole all her tip-jar savings to buy a vintage guitar, her coffee shop job is anything but satisfying, and she’s behind on rent. Financial struggles, with a new ex-boyfriend, lead Amanda to drink—more than usual.

Floating through a half-dazed routine, Amanda’s life drastically changes when a coffee shop customer wants more than a mocha, requesting that Amanda consider donating a piece of her liver to her estranged, abusive father who is dying of a rare liver disease. Once Amanda discovers that she’s a match, her gruesome past catches up with an unforgiven present, challenging who she is and who she wants to become.

Fighting past demons, unearthing childhood trauma, and facing this shaky decision, Amanda balances more liquor and a new, wary relationship with a church pastor as Amanda discovers which choice she should make.

Damaged Goods features forgiveness, friendship, and alcoholism restoration. However, explicit details of Amanda’s sexual abuse, constant slander regarding the Christian faith, and incessant alcohol abuse throughout a majority of the film weigh heavy for viewers. Unfortunately, since we don’t witness a clear Christian restoration in Amanda, this film is Not Dove-approved.

The Dove Take

Damaged Goods presents the heavy story of Amanda, a struggling alcoholic who must choose to donate a piece of her liver to her abusive father… or leave him to die.

A Dissenting Take:

From Nancy Stafford, who you may remember as “Michelle Thomas” on TV’s Matlock. She’s a co-director of the film: “It’s tough subject matter, but ultimately moves toward redemption — with beginnings of restoration, forgiveness, healing and hope. … I’m excited that this film can be a bridge to people’s faith journey—to give an audience first steps. And I believe it does that in an authentic and ultimately redemptive way.”

Dove Rating Details

3

Faith

Pastor encourages Amanda to lean into Christ.

3

Integrity

None

3

Sex

Amanda explicitly describes the way her father molested her, off-colored joke about herpes.

2

Language

Amanda writes a message to her father, telling him to “Burn in hell”, “god”, Drunk, Amanda verbally banters with a coffee shop customer.

0

Violence

None

3

Drugs

Amanda consistently battles (and loses) against alcoholism, though redemption is featured in the end. Pastor joins Amanda for a drink of liquor, though she says pastors prefer wine.

1

Nudity

Amanda wears short shorts and low-cut tops

3

Other

Throughout a majority of the film, Amanda has harsh, crude things to say regarding the faith, discussions of miscarriages, death, and inability to have children, reference to karma, Amanda’s ex-boyfriend steals money.