Singer did a great job with this documentary, especially consider his age and lack of experience when he filmed it. His ability to overcome the budgetary and technical constraints is astonishing. The end-result is an above-average documentary.
I understand that Singer's original intention was to help some of the subterranean "citizens" with profits from this film. Like the documentary, "Born Into Brothels", this is (I guess) an admirable goal, but it certainly interfered with the movie itself.
With all that out of the way, let me conclude by saying that I did not find it very enjoyable. I don't mean that I felt guilty or uncomfortable watching this chronicle of life on the outer reaches of society. I mean that I got a bit angry and fed-up with the situation. Are these people marginalized? Yes, undoubtedly. Do they live where they do because of a "few bad choices"? No. A couple bad choices lead you to buy a car that's a lemon, or to hit on the boss's spouse at your company Christmas party. People who deliberately commit crimes and turn to drugs are doing a lot more than making bad choices. Finally, are there options for these people to help get them back into the mainstream? Yes...if they stop making "bad choices".
Worth watching, but be prepared to be frustrated if you are a person who has worked hard all his/her life and obeyed (mostly) the law.
I understand that Singer's original intention was to help some of the subterranean "citizens" with profits from this film. Like the documentary, "Born Into Brothels", this is (I guess) an admirable goal, but it certainly interfered with the movie itself.
With all that out of the way, let me conclude by saying that I did not find it very enjoyable. I don't mean that I felt guilty or uncomfortable watching this chronicle of life on the outer reaches of society. I mean that I got a bit angry and fed-up with the situation. Are these people marginalized? Yes, undoubtedly. Do they live where they do because of a "few bad choices"? No. A couple bad choices lead you to buy a car that's a lemon, or to hit on the boss's spouse at your company Christmas party. People who deliberately commit crimes and turn to drugs are doing a lot more than making bad choices. Finally, are there options for these people to help get them back into the mainstream? Yes...if they stop making "bad choices".
Worth watching, but be prepared to be frustrated if you are a person who has worked hard all his/her life and obeyed (mostly) the law.