SPOILER: I quote the movie directly in my comments below...
2 stars.....
The two stars I gave to this film were because of the actual glimpse of real life I was given, showing me the nature of the Orange County housing market, the Hope School and the beacon of light it brings to the community. The reason I even felt compelled to review it was the nature of the questions and the demeanor of the woman who was conducting all the interviews in the film. Honestly at first I wasn't sure if she was for real! The questions she posed to the adults were fine, but the way she spoke to the children made my blood boil She was shaming and her lack of experience with interacting with children was obvious. She posed questions that the kids could never answer or that would make them face the already shamed state of homelessness.
These were the questions: "Where did you get that shirt? {the shirt said "Nantucket"which we all know is a very wealthy northeastern town/tourist area. A place he knew nothing about. She just needed to point out something and almost shame him for having it as a donation...totally lacks tact. After the little boy responded "donation" she said "you look good!" "It looks good on you!"
"What's the worst part about being a homeless kid" and she asked this of 6 year old little Josh Brewster. The thing is, he is homeless, he is 6, and he doesn't feel the weight of the world like adults do...he still goes to school, he still plays with his friends, he has meals and clothes and a roof. He made me so proud when he answered "When people ask me dumb questions!" EXACTLY little guy...good for you. You don't know what the worst thing is about being homeless...you are a little kid. Why doesn't that lady just stop talking to you like you're an adult.
She said to Ms. Brewster "you work in the happiest place on earth {speaking about DisneyLand} is your family the happiest family on earth?? WTF? I mean really lady?? This is so shaming and upsetting, it lacks tact and neutrality. And Ms Brewster responded, said "kinda sorta" - You know what makes you the happiest family on earth? It doesn't come from the places you are...the things you have...I applaud you for saying "kinda sorta" Because this interviewer has NO IDEA how to relate to you, these questions are absolutely stupid.
I couldn't hardly watch it all the way through. My heart broke for the kids, and she just added fuel to the fire. This subject could have been explored with much more compassion if she had been replaced with someone who had a mother's heart and training with children and their fragile hearts. Shame on you guys for not preparing the interviewer more, she really dropped the ball.
2 stars.....
The two stars I gave to this film were because of the actual glimpse of real life I was given, showing me the nature of the Orange County housing market, the Hope School and the beacon of light it brings to the community. The reason I even felt compelled to review it was the nature of the questions and the demeanor of the woman who was conducting all the interviews in the film. Honestly at first I wasn't sure if she was for real! The questions she posed to the adults were fine, but the way she spoke to the children made my blood boil She was shaming and her lack of experience with interacting with children was obvious. She posed questions that the kids could never answer or that would make them face the already shamed state of homelessness.
These were the questions: "Where did you get that shirt? {the shirt said "Nantucket"which we all know is a very wealthy northeastern town/tourist area. A place he knew nothing about. She just needed to point out something and almost shame him for having it as a donation...totally lacks tact. After the little boy responded "donation" she said "you look good!" "It looks good on you!"
"What's the worst part about being a homeless kid" and she asked this of 6 year old little Josh Brewster. The thing is, he is homeless, he is 6, and he doesn't feel the weight of the world like adults do...he still goes to school, he still plays with his friends, he has meals and clothes and a roof. He made me so proud when he answered "When people ask me dumb questions!" EXACTLY little guy...good for you. You don't know what the worst thing is about being homeless...you are a little kid. Why doesn't that lady just stop talking to you like you're an adult.
She said to Ms. Brewster "you work in the happiest place on earth {speaking about DisneyLand} is your family the happiest family on earth?? WTF? I mean really lady?? This is so shaming and upsetting, it lacks tact and neutrality. And Ms Brewster responded, said "kinda sorta" - You know what makes you the happiest family on earth? It doesn't come from the places you are...the things you have...I applaud you for saying "kinda sorta" Because this interviewer has NO IDEA how to relate to you, these questions are absolutely stupid.
I couldn't hardly watch it all the way through. My heart broke for the kids, and she just added fuel to the fire. This subject could have been explored with much more compassion if she had been replaced with someone who had a mother's heart and training with children and their fragile hearts. Shame on you guys for not preparing the interviewer more, she really dropped the ball.
