This is the greatest movie about homeless plight ever made. I've scarcely seen any other films that have half the heart and sheer emotional punch that this one does. To me one of the greatest things about the movie is the diversity of people. There are no racial distinctions, everyone's in the same boat and they're all in it together. And the majority of them try to help each other out. Such strong emotional connections, so many great moments, so little word-space! Mare Winningham was so great. This is the best work that I've ever seen her do. She's got a great face! Maybe not the most beautiful ever, but it definitely rich in emotion and spirit. She's a born actress. Her character was such a good mother, she loved that little girl so very much... She did the best thing she could possibly have done. Over the course of the film you can see her character's descent as the bitter harsh realities of life on the streets slowly eat away at her energy and hopes for a better life. A very powerful scene with her is one when she's alone after leaving Hilary in the hospital. She wanders and comes across a homeless girl not too older than Hilary. The girl says nothing but just looks at her with an expression of such terrible devastation and hopelessness. Knowing this may one day be her own daughter's future if she doesn't act, this is when an unthinkable decision is made. Does it really matter if the film is fiction? I think with a movie with such powerfully realistic themes, emotions and situations that anyone anywhere ever can relate to, fiction doesn't even come into it. I was glad to read that the movie has inspired people to make differences in the world. Which of course is amazing, but I think it's broader legacy is simply making people grateful for whatever they might have. This might sound odd, but a lot of the themes remind me of The Little Match Girl. When it gets to the point where it switches to the Watkins's family's story for a while, it's so strong and well-played it doesn't feel like a secondary story, it is their movie. Their struggles and dramas are just as engrossing and poignant as Theresa and Hilary's. Their story ends on Mos Deff's character's graduation, which is the only real hope you see in the entire movie, where it looks like with a little luck, they will eventually make it. Mos Deff was pretty good as a quiet young guy just trying to be strong and stay out of trouble for the sake of he and his family's future. I found it very moving and shocking when his character speaks of suicide. His relationship with his father is a very strong plot thread. His dad is very proud and resents the chances his son has in life that he never had. But, he comes through for him in the end. Grace johnston gave a truly excellent performance, especially considering it was her debut! As Hilary, she had a great, almost wistful quality to her. Such a strong, composed little girl, never really whining or complaining at all. Throughout she is seen repeatedly saying goodbye to friends. I think that's supposed to set up that we be "for" what happens to her at the climax. She bears it all alongside her mother, for what child at that age wouldn't have complete faith and trust in their mother. Not one actor is bad in their role, everyone has their place, no matter how small. I've never seen a movie where all the bit parts were so memorable. Theresa's few acquaintances, a cruel and ignorant waitress, a fat bully of a landlord who cares not for the struggles of the people who live in his dirt-cheap "housing". An especially heartbreaking scene with a shoe-stealing old lady, all the outreach workers, particularly one energetic gal who wakes everyone up with a hearty: "Wake up, darlins' y'all gotta go!" I know this movie's no laughing matter, but she really cracks me up! To me it's not just Theresa and Hilary's movie, it's a joint effort. All the characters together make such a rich dramatic tapestry. Dorian Harewood was also fantastic. Always so optimistic, his character always tries to put on a happy face, but you can see that he too is strained and weighed down by the poverty and grief around him. I really liked the way he strongly questions Theresa's decision at the end. To me his best moment is when he describes how he always tries to be strong in the face of strife, but is deeply haunted by the death of a child. He has great chemistry with children. Oh god, that ending! It hits me like a ton of bricks. It's so disturbing, it just crushes you. The way they quietly but firmly take little Hillary away is evocative of childhood fears. And in the midst of it all is the little token of at least something in the form of Hilary's doll, that just has to be picked up off the snowy ground before she disappears forever. And then she's gone, and Theresa is devastated, and so are we. But it's devastation with a bitter ray of hope for she has done a very brave and selfless thing, and hopefully, in whatever awaited her next in her sad life, she could rest easy at night knowing that. Cold comfort indeed... Bless this movie.
Review of God Bless the Child
