Watch My Brother's Keeper

My Brother's Keeper is a 1992 documentary movie that puts a spotlight on a tiny, rural town of Munnsville, New York, and tells the story of one poor family of brothers who live and work on their small farm. The movie is a documentary that blends interviews, archival footage, and reenactments to show their humble existence and the events that happened in their lives.

The movie revolves around four brothers: William, Roscoe, Delbert and Lyman Ward. The Ward family lived in the same house in Munnsville for over 80 years, and through the years, they seem to generate a lot of rumors among their neighbors.

The narrative of the movie unfolds when one of the brothers, William, passes away, and the three remaining come under scrutiny. The cause of William's death is being questioned, and the authorities decide to investigate the family. Because the siblings are all adults and cover for each other, they face violence and stigma from their neighbors.

Throughout the course of the film, the viewer learns about the day-to-day life of the Wards- their chores, their simple pleasures, their hopes, and also their struggles. As the perspective shifts from each brother to the other and to their closest neighbors, the movie shows the complicated interplay between family and society.

Delbert, in particular, is portrayed as a man-child who cannot read or write and who struggles with basic skills, but has an amiable disposition. As the film progresses, it reveals a lot of Delbert's underlying pain, especially after the sudden death of his beloved brother William. The family dynamic is exposed as complicated and tragic in some aspects.

As the investigation unfolds, the three brothers become the subjects of news headlines, and their personal lives are put under a microscope. What makes this documentary so compelling is its powerful depiction of the impact that a social stigma can have on people's lives. The film shows how the Ward brothers' lives are turned upside down as they are accused of crimes that they deny ever committing.

The movie shows the community's harsh judgment and misperceptions of the brothers as their neighbors accuse them of being social outcasts and different from other people.

In the end, the movie concludes with a mix of sadness and hope. Considered a very personal and honest story of a family affected by rural poverty, My Brother's Keeper is a touching and sensitive portrayal of the reality of a particular socioeconomic class. Despite not being well-known, it remains a timeless and haunting look at the struggles of rural people and the lasting stigma that poverty leaves.

My Brother's Keeper is an emotional tale of loss, compassion, and overcoming adversity. It's a slow-burning story that creates its drama through a deep study of its characters, which culminates in a rich tapestry of emotions and responses. The documentary manages to create an intimate and urgent piece that reflects on larger social issues and the way society perceives the impoverished. All of this builds towards a dramatic conclusion full of grief but also forgiveness.

Overall, My Brother's Keeper is a thought-provoking and inspiring documentary that tells a story of struggle and hardship. While it may not be an easy watch, it's an important one that provokes deep reflection on poverty, mental health, and the power of rumor and stigma. This film is not only an insider's glimpse of living in rural poverty but a story of tragedy, forgiveness, and the human spirit.

My Brother's Keeper is a 1992 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received outstanding reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 93.