Watch Breaking the Cycle

Breaking the Cycle is a heart-wrenching drama movie, released in 2013, directed and produced by Ivan Crosland. The movie's plot revolves around the struggles of a high-school student named Aaron Austin, played by himself, to break the cycle of addiction and poverty in his family. The movie starts with a glimpse into the everyday life of the Austin family, which is rife with drug use, alcoholism, and domestic violence. Aaron and his siblings, Adam and Annaliese, are the primary caregivers for their mother, who is a drug addict, and their father, who is an alcoholic. The family lives in poverty, and Aaron has to work long hours after school to support the family and pay for his sister's tuition at a private school.

Despite all the challenges, Aaron is an intelligent and talented student, who dreams of a better life. However, his hopes and aspirations are often thwarted by his family's addiction and mental health issues, and he struggles to maintain his focus on his studies. Aaron's brother, Adam, played by himself, is a troubled teenager, who has also fallen into the trap of drug addiction, and Aaron's sister, Annaliese, played by herself, often acts as the mediator between the family members.

As the story progresses, Aaron's resilience and determination are put to the test when he gets involved with the wrong crowd at school. The pressure to fit in with the popular kids leads him to experiment with drugs, and he finds himself on a path towards self-destruction. However, Aaron's desire to break the cycle of addiction and poverty in his family drives him to seek help and support from his friends and teachers.

Throughout the movie, the director skillfully portrays the harsh realities of poverty, addiction, and mental health issues, and their impact on the lives of young people. The characters are complex, and the performances of the actors are raw and emotional, making the film an authentic portrayal of the struggles faced by many families in similar situations.

Breaking the Cycle is also a movie about hope and resilience, and the power of human connections to help us overcome even the most challenging circumstances. The movie suggests that breaking the cycle of addiction and poverty requires not only individual effort but also community support and resources.

Overall, Breaking the Cycle is a moving and powerful movie, which tackles important themes with sensitivity and honesty. The film is a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity and achieve personal growth and transformation. The story is deeply inspiring and thought-provoking, and it is a must-see for anyone interested in social justice, mental health, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Breaking the Cycle is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 3 minutes.