Watch Stevie

Stevie is a documentary movie directed by Steve James that premiered in 2002. The movie begins as Steve, the filmmaker, receives a letter from a former Big Brother named Stevie Fielding, who he mentored more than ten years ago in Southern Illinois. The letter requests Steve's help, describing the difficult situation that Stevie now finds himself in.

The film is a personal and intimate journey into the life of Stevie and the community that surrounds him. Initially, Steve appears hesitant to revisit Stevie, as he hasn't seen him in over a decade and their relationship ended poorly. Steve's reluctance to reconnect with Stevie is rooted in a feeling of shame that he failed to help Stevie overcome his troubled youth.

Steve sets out to discover the current life and condition of Stevie, who was a neglected and abused child, and finds out that Stevie has continued to struggle with the same issues that plagued him over a decade ago. The film explores the tumultuous and troubling relationship between Stevie and his family, particularly his siblings, and the factors that led to his criminal behavior as a young adult.

Throughout the film, Steve's exploration of Stevie's past and present is highlighted through interviews with Stevie's relatives, friends, and acquaintances, as well as through footage filmed by Steve himself. The stories that these individuals share provide insight into the complex and heartbreaking world in which Stevie grew up. This context allows viewers to understand how Stevie's experiences with abandonment and abuse have deeply affected the person he is today.

At times, the film is difficult to watch because of the stark reality it portrays. However, it is this honesty that makes the film so powerful. Through Stevie's story, the viewer is confronted with the harsh realities of poverty, abuse, and neglect, and the devastating impact it can have on an individual's life.

Despite the heavy subject matter, the film has moments of optimism, particularly through the relationships that Stevie develops with Steve and his wife during the course of the film. These relationships are a testament to the power of human connection and how it can help individuals heal and overcome trauma.

Stevie is an emotionally complex and powerful film that provides a unique perspective on the impact of abuse and neglect on an individual's life. The film is not simply a tribute to Stevie's story, but also serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of compassion and understanding when dealing with individuals who have experienced trauma.

Stevie is a 2002 documentary with a runtime of 2 hours and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8 and a MetaScore of 72.