A reticulated thermoplastic film comprising: a thermoplastic backing comprising first and second major surfaces, a plurality of openings in the thermoplastic backing, and a plurality of discrete elements protruding from the first major surface of the thermoplastic backing, wherein there are two discrete elements abutting opposite ends of any given opening, wherein the two discrete elements are aligned in a first direction, wherein there is one discrete element between the given opening and an adjacent opening aligned in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein each discrete element comprises a male fastening element having an upstanding post, and wherein at least one of the following is true: wherein each portion of the thermoplastic backing around the given opening is plastically deformed in its lengthwise direction, which corresponds to its longest dimension, and wherein the openings in the plurality of openings and the given opening are retractable openings, wherein applying tension to the reticulated thermoplastic film in the first direction can at least partially close the plurality of openings without further plastically deforming the thermoplastic backing; or wherein at least one portion of the thermoplastic backing around the given opening has a profile across its width of higher stretch-induced molecular orientation at its edge adjacent the given opening than at its midpoint. a thermoplastic backing comprising first and second major surfaces, a plurality of openings in the thermoplastic backing, and a plurality of discrete elements protruding from the first major surface of the thermoplastic backing, wherein there are two discrete elements abutting opposite ends of any given opening, wherein the two discrete elements are aligned in a first direction, wherein there is one discrete element between the given opening and an adjacent opening aligned in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein each discrete element comprises a male fastening element having an upstanding post, and wherein at least one of the following is true: wherein each portion of the thermoplastic backing around the given opening is plastically deformed in its lengthwise direction, which corresponds to its longest dimension, and wherein the openings in the plurality of openings and the given opening are retractable openings, wherein applying tension to the reticulated thermoplastic film in the first direction can at least partially close the plurality of openings without further plastically deforming the thermoplastic backing; or wherein at least one portion of the thermoplastic backing around the given opening has a profile across its width of higher stretch-induced molecular orientation at its edge adjacent the given opening than at its midpoint. wherein each portion of the thermoplastic backing around the given opening is plastically deformed in its lengthwise direction, which corresponds to its longest dimension, and wherein the openings in the plurality of openings and the given opening are retractable openings, wherein applying tension to the reticulated thermoplastic film in the first direction can at least partially close the plurality of openings without further plastically deforming the thermoplastic backing; or wherein at least one portion of the thermoplastic backing around the given opening has a profile across its width of higher stretch-induced molecular orientation at its edge adjacent the given opening than at its midpoint. <EOS>