Moving story delicately told by filmmaker parents about the struggle with a suicidal son suffering severe bipolar depression. Most should watch it for the story in itself, but as a documentary filmmaker, I look for things besides the story and I was very impressed at the caliber of film making done by Dana and Hart Perry who are obviously very close to the story. This is often the most difficult type of documentary to make.
The documentary is done quite well. Through the use of still images and home video of their son, Evan, and family in good times and bad, Dana Perry was able to set the emotional mood of their situation. At times it seemed their emotion was almost palpable, like the feeling of high humidity, when it feels as if the air is heavy on the skin. Hart Perry, as Director of Photography, lit beautiful interview shots in multiple locations and the interview footage was done top drawer. Editing style was appropriate for the film and allowed emotional lingering while blending interviews, home video, still images, and B-Roll cohesively. Title cards were used poignantly, and in my opinion, properly, and thankfully without spelling errors. Music was not overpowering and the selections were not heavy handed.
The interview selection was very revealing about Evan's life and problems as it presented itself to everyone around him, from his parents, siblings and grandparents to counselors, doctors, psychiatrists, teachers, friends, and even Evan himself.
The subject matter is dark but educational, and it reveals Evan did indeed have legitimate mental disorders and that his parents and doctors did all they could to help him live a normal life. I believe this documentary should be seen by all parents, especially when and if a member of their family begins to behave in erratic suicidal behavior. But I also feel this documentary would be touching to anyone who watches it just to see the story of the Perry family as they decided to share it with the world.
The documentary is done professionally and the viewer can become immersed in the story and remain so without any poorly done segments breaking the mood. It is considerably better than the similarly themed documentary "Does Your Soul Have a Cold" where typos abound, editing was lax, inappropriate footage included breaking the mood and so forth.
I recommend this documentary to everyone without hesitation.
7/10 I am a harsh critic, so for a documentary to be a 7, it has to be very good. I think the only documentaries that received higher ratings are Wide Awake by Berliner, Hear and Now by Irene Brodsky and the french documentary Night and Fog which was so quietly emotionally impacting I had to watch it in two sessions. I feel Boy Interrupted is far better than Born into Brothels, which is a highly acclaimed and popular documentary.
The documentary is done quite well. Through the use of still images and home video of their son, Evan, and family in good times and bad, Dana Perry was able to set the emotional mood of their situation. At times it seemed their emotion was almost palpable, like the feeling of high humidity, when it feels as if the air is heavy on the skin. Hart Perry, as Director of Photography, lit beautiful interview shots in multiple locations and the interview footage was done top drawer. Editing style was appropriate for the film and allowed emotional lingering while blending interviews, home video, still images, and B-Roll cohesively. Title cards were used poignantly, and in my opinion, properly, and thankfully without spelling errors. Music was not overpowering and the selections were not heavy handed.
The interview selection was very revealing about Evan's life and problems as it presented itself to everyone around him, from his parents, siblings and grandparents to counselors, doctors, psychiatrists, teachers, friends, and even Evan himself.
The subject matter is dark but educational, and it reveals Evan did indeed have legitimate mental disorders and that his parents and doctors did all they could to help him live a normal life. I believe this documentary should be seen by all parents, especially when and if a member of their family begins to behave in erratic suicidal behavior. But I also feel this documentary would be touching to anyone who watches it just to see the story of the Perry family as they decided to share it with the world.
The documentary is done professionally and the viewer can become immersed in the story and remain so without any poorly done segments breaking the mood. It is considerably better than the similarly themed documentary "Does Your Soul Have a Cold" where typos abound, editing was lax, inappropriate footage included breaking the mood and so forth.
I recommend this documentary to everyone without hesitation.
7/10 I am a harsh critic, so for a documentary to be a 7, it has to be very good. I think the only documentaries that received higher ratings are Wide Awake by Berliner, Hear and Now by Irene Brodsky and the french documentary Night and Fog which was so quietly emotionally impacting I had to watch it in two sessions. I feel Boy Interrupted is far better than Born into Brothels, which is a highly acclaimed and popular documentary.