Documentary explores American standard of beauty

The poster for "America the Beautiful" says it all.

It depicts the iconic figure of the Statue of Liberty -- with a few modifications.

Instead of holding a torch and a tablet, she hoists a tube of lipstick in one outstretched hand and cradles a makeup palette and brush in her other arm.

And an invisible photographer (or editor) has included some instructions for improving her appearance, from "Two words: nose job!" to "Remove robes -- show bikini."

Lady Liberty can take it -- she's been standing tall since 1886.

But contemporary, flesh-and-blood women have a tougher time living up to society's impossibly idealized standards of beauty.

Which is exactly what inspired filmmaker Darryl Roberts (who wrote, directed and co-starred in the 1993 relationship drama "How U Like Me Now") to spend two years shooting his documentary, which opens Friday at Las Vegas' Village Square multiplex.

Naturally, Nevada -- with its come-hither, let-it-all-hang-out traditions -- couldn't escape Roberts' focus.

And it didn't; among various topics, from size 4 teen models the fashion industry considers "obese" to cosmetics full of carcinogens, "America the Beautiful" explores the case of Darlene Jesperson, who had worked as a bartender at Harrah's Reno for more than two decades -- until she was fired for refusing to wear makeup. (Jesperson sued for unjust termination, but lost her case on appeal.)

"I was looking for extreme beauty cases," Roberts says, explaining why he included Jesperson's case in his documentary.

Despite the gains women have made, even the most successful "know they're expected to be beautiful," and if they're not, they're viewed as less worthy, Roberts notes. "Women have internalized this."

Contact reporter Carol Cling at ccling@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0272.