"The House I Live In" is a frustrating film to watch. This is because the first 75% or so of the film has a lot of great content and the film makes its point. Too bad they didn't STOP the film, as the last 25% actually will alienate many people who agree with the film's initial message.
When the film begins, it presents a very convincing argument that the American government's so-called war on drugs is a complete failure. Important facts such as the nation leading the world in incarceration rates, the predominance of poor minorities serving time for drug possession and the violence associated with drugs are all very, very compelling arguments to say that what we are doing currently is not working. Then, instead of presenting a great argument for legalization or partial legalization, the film goes off on an argument about class warfare (sounding rather Marxist) and drawing parallels to the drug war with the holocaust (and when you start comparing ANYONE to the Nazis, then you've lost the legitimacy of the argument--which is often referred to as 'Godwin's Law'). The bottom line is that the film didn't know when to quit when it had presented a great argument. Its final overall argument is one that would alienate many libertarians and conservatives (folks who you might be able to convince that we should abandon this war on drugs and its disproportionate effect on the poor) and appeal more to a socialist and far-left crowd.
While I DO agree that poor people get a bad shake and serve far, far more time than rich folks who can afford better lawyers and gain more sympathy from juries, resorting to the class warfare argument will appeal to many and alienate just about as many. And reserve the term 'Holocaust' for the Holocaust!!
Overall ratings: For the first 75%--9; For the last 25%--2
When the film begins, it presents a very convincing argument that the American government's so-called war on drugs is a complete failure. Important facts such as the nation leading the world in incarceration rates, the predominance of poor minorities serving time for drug possession and the violence associated with drugs are all very, very compelling arguments to say that what we are doing currently is not working. Then, instead of presenting a great argument for legalization or partial legalization, the film goes off on an argument about class warfare (sounding rather Marxist) and drawing parallels to the drug war with the holocaust (and when you start comparing ANYONE to the Nazis, then you've lost the legitimacy of the argument--which is often referred to as 'Godwin's Law'). The bottom line is that the film didn't know when to quit when it had presented a great argument. Its final overall argument is one that would alienate many libertarians and conservatives (folks who you might be able to convince that we should abandon this war on drugs and its disproportionate effect on the poor) and appeal more to a socialist and far-left crowd.
While I DO agree that poor people get a bad shake and serve far, far more time than rich folks who can afford better lawyers and gain more sympathy from juries, resorting to the class warfare argument will appeal to many and alienate just about as many. And reserve the term 'Holocaust' for the Holocaust!!
Overall ratings: For the first 75%--9; For the last 25%--2