This film addresses so many important social issues within the span of its eighty-five minutes. And, although there were points when the storyline was a bit out of focus, the fearless approach to several controversies was more refreshing than sitting through some watered-down and star-studded narrative. There are a couple portions (and you will know what they are when you get to them) that I actually recommend forwarding through a bit..they don't really advance the story But, that aside, I think it's important to see what kind of damage some of the conventional American approaches to "fixing" troubled children have. This film presents this. Take electro-convulsive therapy, for example, on a young girl --or an abusive foster home for a kid who could have been placed immediately with his grandparents.
Perhaps the film was found narcissistic. But filming himself, for Jonathan, was an established artform.. a way to document his feelings and thoughts on issues alone. It seemed, from the movie, that a videotape became his only salvation from a harsh reality. It's an artform. And, when artists find themselves in a position to comment on issues that affect mass numbers of people, I feel that there is a responsibility to speak up.
Perhaps the film was found narcissistic. But filming himself, for Jonathan, was an established artform.. a way to document his feelings and thoughts on issues alone. It seemed, from the movie, that a videotape became his only salvation from a harsh reality. It's an artform. And, when artists find themselves in a position to comment on issues that affect mass numbers of people, I feel that there is a responsibility to speak up.