A Boy's Life

Fairly well done documentary about one southern family's life in the midst of poverty and psychological abuse. I rather enjoyed this movie, and found my self laughing at times during the opening half. Yet this is certainly not a comical movie. Early on some the characters acted so uniquely odd, so over the top "Southern", that it seemed to be staged. As the movie runs on, you realize that it is not the case. The things that seemed laughable early on, seem quite different at the movies end. The documentary looks in to several ills that seem to go hand in hand with poverty. It takes on more social problems, I imagine, than even the film makers expected. Nonetheless it gives us a snapshot, not always an objective one, at this family's life.

by proxy is what should have been diagnosed if the grandmother had ever been taken to a competent psychiatrist.

This documentary is effective on many disturbing levels. Initially it seems Robanna is simply unwilling to care for her children, she is young, destitute. The conditions they live in in rural Mississippi are truly sad. Her mother "Memaw", cares for the children but has a particular obsession with the seven year old, Robert.

As the story develops, we see the conditions, and also the educator at Europa Elementary, concerned and upset for Roberts situation. He is a good student at school, but according to his grandmother, kills dogs and cats, and is an unmanageable raging child at home. We see how the system cannot in some cases help children in emotional danger, only actual physical danger.

The grandmother appears narcissistic, and becomes angry with her daughters nurse (Robanna has several medical issues, obesity, thyroid, etc.). Toward the latter part of the documentary, the grandmother is badly bruised with blood clots from supposedly having been kicked by Robert.

She is taken to the ER where she blames Robert. Eventually it is evident that the story was fabricated.

Fortunately, the children are returned to the custody of their natural mother, Robanna. The grandmother is now apparently confined to an institution for her psychological issues. Sad that Roberts life was not protected earlier, but Robanna had neither financial resources or education to get her mother to a psychiatrist. A sad commentary on real issues of poverty in America today. 9/10.

An in-depth look into the lives of a poor, rural family with little education, and a poor family dynamic. The grandmothers maniplation was outrageous (claiming Benji won the race when robert clearly did, showing up in the kitchen at Roberts birthday and hugging and fawning over him, then crying that no one is paying attention to her)and deeply saddening. The lack of opportunities and resources almost guaruntees this family cycle of poverty will continue with Robert and Benji's children.

Excellently done. Kudos to their schools, and all of our schools. It is an outrage that teachers and school administrators are not among the highest paid positions ion our society, instead of among the lowest. The teachers and staff at our public schools sometimes do more parenting and child rearing than these parents ever do, and the fact that they make next to nothing is embarrassing to me.

I was beyond disturbed and upset by this documentary. You would have to be blind, deaf and dumb to not see the surroundings of Robert including his insane grandmother and bitter lazy fat mother were destroying that child's future to be a normal boy.

As we could see from how he behaved at school, and getting A's for his report card he is an intelligent child stuck in some hick moron's home. I felt so beyond sorry for this child and his poor little ignored brother it actually made me sick.

In a perfect world I would not let the grandmother and her daughter look after a rabbit let alone raise two children. They are the scum of the earth. Yes that is harsh, but it's a great argument for legal and safe abortion when 'these' types of people get pregnant. It's a vicious cycle that will never end until people start saying what everyone is afraid of hearing! But Robert exists and I am saddened he is still with those horrible horrible people. The best thing for that child and his brother is be taken away immediately.

Bless the school and teachers for being so wonderful, and also Dr Phee for doing her best.

There is nothing worse than out of control adults attempting to "raise" a child. The child always ends up the victim. The grandmother is particularly disturbed and disturbing!!! She is an emotional and psychological psychopath with an obvious narcissistic personality disorder! I swear to God, I wanted to reach into the television set and slap her for her abusive and destructive behavior. As I was watching this documentary, I admit that I really did not care about her or her life as she was very very ill and needed to STAY AWAY FROM THIS BOY. I really hope this kid GETS OUT OF THIS SITUATION, pursues his education (the biggest saving grace this child has to survive and ultimately thrive) and LEAVES THE TOWN. Lest I seem unfeeling, I do understand that grinding poverty can lead to many devastating choices, but honestly, the one main route out: EDUCATION (and yes, you can get out even with a "public school" education). Thank God for the teacher who provided this young boy with one positive adult role model.