‘Boxing Helena’

It is hard to believe that “Boxing Helena” actually got made or that Madonna and Kim Basinger ever entertained the idea of appearing in it (“Kim Basinger Court Case Shines Light on Deal-Making,” March 1).

It’s one thing when such a film as Dalton Trumbo’s “Johnny Got His Gun” gets made. The script has a message that is: “War is hell.” “Boxing Helena”--a film that reportedly is about a doctor who amputates a woman’s injured legs and apparently healthy arms and keeps her in a box, hoping she will fall in love with him--has no message.

I suppose it is possible that I am easily horrified and that someone can explain to me why the amputation of a woman’s limbs and her imprisonment in a box will somehow bring us out of the theater with a lighter step or a sobering second thought or two. Or something. Anything, other than depression and disgust with ourselves for seeing a film with so base a premise.

Every two minutes in this country a woman is assaulted, beaten or raped. This film is a big help. Sure.

MAXINE DALEY LOCKER

Shell Beach