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Bobbi Jo: Under the Influence is an emotional and inspiring documentary film released in 2021 which follows the life of Bobbi Jo Reed - a woman who experienced addiction, incarceration, and trauma in her life, but ultimately found hope and healing through her strong spirit and advocacy work for those who like her, have suffered and are still struggling.
The film begins with a brief background of Bobbi Jo's life. She grew up in a small town in rural Indiana, where she experienced poverty, abuse, and neglect. Subsequently, she turned to drugs and alcohol as a means of coping, which led to addiction and several arrests for drug-related crimes. Bobbi Jo found herself in and out of the prison system for over 20 years, and after serving her sentence on a final drug charge, she decided to transform her life and help others in similar situations.
Throughout the film, we see Bobbi Jo's transformation through the support of her loved ones, especially her mother, and her leadership role in creating and running an organization that has helped hundreds of women recover from addiction and rebuild their lives. Through her organization, Reed helps women access housing, employment, and treatment for substance use disorder, which reduces their chances of returning to the criminal justice system.
The documentary film takes viewers on a journey through Bobbi Jo's experiences, highlighting her courage and persistence as a survivor as well as her passion for helping others. The film also features interviews with Judi Burkholder and Gabby Cullen, who share their stories of addiction and recovery under Bobbi Jo's mentorship.
One of the strengths of Bobbi Jo: Under the Influence is that it challenges the stigma and misconception often associated with people who have been incarcerated or had substance use disorder, portraying them as survivors who deserve support and the chance to rebuild their lives. Through her story, Bobbi Jo shows that recovery is possible with the right resources, support, and determination.
The film also sheds light on the disparities in access to resources and support that people experiencing addiction and incarceration often face. It underscores the need for more investment in resources that support individuals in recovery and alternatives to incarceration that prioritize treatment and rehabilitation over punishment. Bobbi Jo Reed's work and advocacy in this area have been exemplary, and the documentary film inspires hope and optimism in viewers that things can change.
The cinematography and editing of this film are excellent. The filmmakers successfully convey the essence of Bobbi Jo's story and the emotional journey through an empathetic storytelling process. The use of footage from Bobbi Jo's past alongside interviews, animation, and imagery that beautifully captures the essence of the rural US, illustrates the relevance of her story.
Overall, Bobbi Jo: Under the Influence is an inspiring and moving film that beautifully shines a light on the struggles of addiction, incarceration, and recovery. Through the personal experiences and work of Bobbi Jo Reed, viewers gain an insight into the challenges associated with addiction and incarceration as well as the possibilities to transform lives when community members support each other. It is a film that needs to be seen by everyone and provides a message of hope and the importance of resilience.
Bobbi Jo: Under the Influence is a 2021 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.
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Genres
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CastBobbi Jo ReedJudi BurkholderGabby Cullen
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DirectorBrent Jones
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Release Date2021
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MPAA RatingNR
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Runtime1 hr 42 min
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LanguageEnglish
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IMDB Rating8.0 (69)
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