Documentary Tricked is a tricky offering. A nonfiction look at sex trafficking in the United States, co-directors John-Keith Wasson and Jane Wells’ film packs a sobering punch rooted largely in the squirmy, innate sympathies its subject matter induces. But with a focus that is more anecdotal than comprehensive or scrupulously assembled, the movie comes off as basically on par with any given television newsmagazine story on the same topic.
An initiative of 3 Generations, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping survivors of various atrocities tell their stories, Tricked is essentially like an aged heavyweight that relies on its natural punching power. And sometimes that’s enough. It’s brisk (in terms of its running time), but it isn’t lean and muscular and sharply defined. Stronger contrasts — perhaps ditching much of its focus on controlling pimps, in favor of the stories of victims, police officers and a clientele who either can’t see or admit their part in this cycle of victimization — would have benefited the movie. For the full, original review, from ShockYa, click here. For more information about the film, click here to visit its website. (Kino Lorber, unrated, 74 minutes)
