Reversal of Fortune

This is a difficult watch, but an honest depiction of its premise. The theme is to gift a homeless man with a $100,000 windfall, and then watch as a spectator what the man does with this sudden good fortune. The movie is told in a documentary form, with frequent side-bar interview commentary by the subject of the study, Ted, and the people he interacts with. The film teeters on the brink of exploitation, as it occasionally resembles a reality show, but still manages to give a brutally honest picture.

Ted is presented to you in the early going, and his story is not a pretty picture. He laments over failed opportunities, blames others for his predicament (especially women), and lives in semi-isolation. He stores what few belongings he has in a hole underneath a freeway viaduct, and peddles around on a bicycle collecting recyclables for redemption. He smokes and drinks. And that's about it.

After meeting Ted, it's hard to be anything but pessimistic about what lies ahead for him. It's obvious he despises conventional wisdom and any form of accountability from others. He rejects counsel on how to utilize the money, and throws his bank rolls around in endless partying and large purchases. It must have been difficult for the movie makers to resist the temptation of intervening in Ted's actions.

It's sad, and it's hard to watch. Whether Ted is indicative of the majority of homeless people is a matter for introspection and discussion. Everyone will have a different view on this matter, but the film's point is to get the subject on the table, since society tends to just accept this social problem as unbeatable (and it may even be so; that is a matter to ponder, as well).

This thought provoking film is recommended.

this was a really good documentary. this was reality TV. I hate how Ted went through that 6 months, wasting that money. To me it was a blessing and he should of done something more constructive. At the end I wish I could know what happened to Ted. I hope he is well I suspect probably back to being homeless again. I felt for him because the way his mother and sisters wanted nothing to do with him at first. Then when he got the money, and he got in touched with them and he told them about the money they wanted him to be a part of his life again. Its sad that people would use others like that. I am sure for the most part his sisters just wanted to help him out somehow. At least I'd like to think that. It was painful after a bit to see how he'd spend through so much cash in a week, all that drinking, smoking, trying to get laid. Shoot if he wanted to get laid so bad he could of gotten himself a prostitute for lot less than what he spent on the two girlfriends. It was great what he did for that kid Michael. I wish I could know how Michael is now that he has that car. 68 minutes for this documentary is too short. This film project is something that should be a regular thing, like a series. this show was way better than most of the fluff on TV. It showed real people in real life. And I still wish I knew what happened to Ted. Oh well, I guess I can just hope.

anyone have any more info on what happened to this guy? he always has the kid in Pasadena to rely on. I don't think his family was all that helpful, just nagging him to get a job etc. This is not a conventional guy, why would he be expected to choose conventional living.

My guess is he sold his truck cheap for drinking and partying money and eventually ends up back in Pasadena. I was sad but funny that his sister was trying to get him into AA.this guy was happier before the cameras got a hold of him, I would not be surprised if he committed suicide after all of this.

I give this documentary an 8/10.

I'm fond of watching documentaries, so this triumph of a film has remarkably resonated with me in an extraordinary way. This is a segment of life all around us that is so very unknown (the homeless), laid bare before us as never before. Congratulations to Demaio for this ingenious accomplishment! The sad story takes us down a plot never witnessed in any Hollywood screenplay, yet grabs your soul till the very end. Man against himself - the ultimate test! What separates any of us from homelessness can be found in the lessons portrayed. Nature, nurture, good, bad, ugly,... its all there.

Without narrative, the unprodded course this man takes will answer a few more of life's biggest questions.

I think this is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. You always see homeless people, and what an incredible "gift" to give someone - the chance to turn their life around. How many times does that happen? The film makers didn't have a hand in what Ted spent his money on, and they furnished him with people to "help" or "guide" him - which was Ted's choice not to participate in. You cannot give some one money, then "MAKE" them do what you think is best. These people have rights like any other human being, and free choice is one of them. It was interesting to me to see why Ted was homeless - you could tell that he did not WANT to change his situation. He could not live in a society that dictated what he do - so he did nothing.

I applaud the concept and the documentary - I have told many, many people to watch this.. including my son - who needs to see that one needs to think before spending - one needs to look ahead to get ahead.. Ted's problem is that he never wanted to grow up. He had a great opportunity - I would like a re-cap of where Ted is now, and if he would have done anything differently.