Barrier Device (2002)

Film Overview
"Barrier Device" is a 2002 brief movie directed by Grace Lee, an independent filmmaker known for her strong storytelling capability about females and their relationships. The story focuses on the complex psychological character development of two women who are chosen to check a new female condom called the 'Barrier Device.'

Plot Summary
The film starts by introducing the 2 primary characters: Sandy, a negative and self-centered female in her thirties played by Sandra Oh, and her a little naive and gullible sister, Clara. Both ladies have contrasting attitudes towards relationships and sex, evident in their reactions when both are selected as guinea pig for "Barrier Device", a new type of female prophylactic.

Sandy, hesitant of the Barrier Device, is in a transitional phase of her life. She goes through different existential dilemmas involving her identity, romantic relationships, and career course. She just recently broke up with her long-term partner and lost her task, causing her to battle with sensations of emptiness, existential angst, and solitude.

On the other hand, Clara, who is represented as simpler and more content in life, is voluntarily celibate. She does not particularly take care of relationships or sex due to a previous stopped working relationship experience. In spite of her past, she's excited about checking the Barrier Device and sees it as a chance to gain back control over her sexuality.

Character Development and Ending
As the movie advances, Sandy and Clara get a chance to self-reflect and explore their attitudes towards life, intimacy, and relationships. The barrier device functions as a driver for the transformation of the two females. Clara ends up being more assertive after trying the item and recognizes that she does not need to be celibate, that she could regain control over her sexual life. On the alternative, Sandy, who was initially resistant to the concept, discovers empowerment and opportunity in the screening procedure.

Towards the end, the film brings out a shift in Sandy's perspective. She finds solace in her shy roommate and finds comfort in the idea of beginning a sexual relationship with him. Neglecting her skepticism, she chooses to use the 'Barrier Device' as an instrument to organize her life and relationships. Thus, the Barrier Device represents more than a contraceptive approach; it ends up being a sign of individual emancipation and self-discovery.

Conclusion
"Barrier Device" is a film that explores the internal disputes and individual improvement of 2 clearly different ladies. It subtly critiques societal standards and expectations about women, love, and intimacy, through the point of views of the two ladies. It's a story that, although centered on a gadget usually viewed under preconception, handles to convert it into a tool for empowerment and liberating self-realization.

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