Intense and voyeuristic, with occasional passages of sadly poetic imagery—a meagre 4th of July fireworks display and neon-lit county fair merely highlight everyone’s plight—Directors Palermo and Tragos refuse to judge their subjects thus avoiding having the film turn into a white trash horror show. Letting the kids, parents, and other adults speak for themselves instead, sometimes directly to the camera, a picture gradually emerges of human beings in flux partially due to their own bad decisions and partially due to the crushing economic realities around them. Garnering neither sympathy nor condemnation, Rich Hill’s snapshot of other peoples’ lives nevertheless leaves its audience with a few indelible memories like one boy's father using an electric skillet, kettle, and clothes iron to heat up enough water to fill the bathtub (the gas was shut off because of non-payment) or another kid enjoying his weekly phone conversation with his jailed mother. Sobering stuff.

Revealing, thoughtfully crafted documentary. The lives of 3 boys featured in this film speak for themselves. When Harley says, during a meeting with the principal over concern of Harley's attendance record, 'I can make it on my own without an education.' It's a profound statement that he's too young and inexperienced to fully appreciate, even though he believes otherwise. But it's Andrew, all of 14 years old, and also the relationship with his father, Willie, that captured my attention the most. Andrew offers, in his assessment of his dad, that 'all he wants is for someone to be proud [of his dad], and I don't think he understands that I'm proud of him whether or not he does anything [pertaining to Willie's struggles to find stable work and comfortably provide for his family].' Later, the film cuts to a scene where Willie hangs out with the boys, and subsequently has an opportunity to arm wrestle with his son, in which Willie meekly acquiesces. After losing in the contest, Willie stands up from his seat and retreats with a growing smile. There's a lot going on there, and it's clear that there is a mature respect present that is both precious and gentle. I really hope things turn out alright for Andrew and Willie...

A very moving film. Children, like the kids in this doc, always represent truth to me, because they have not yet been trained to lie by parents and schools. I would love to see a follow up film on these kids ten years after. This film is depicts the future of America, which actually arrived yesterday. Is it the future of Canada as well? Truth is splashed all over this film.

Simply fantastic. Would HIGHLY recommend. A beautiful depiction of true humanity - these kids offer truths to life we can all learn from.