Watch The Family I Had

The Family I Had is a heartbreaking and thought-provoking documentary film that was released in 2017. It tells the story of Charity Lee and her family, who were faced with an unimaginable tragedy that forever changed their lives. The film revolves around the story of Paris, Charity's four-year-old son, who was brutally murdered by his 13-year-old half-brother, Paris' own older sibling, Paris was stabbed more than seventeen times. The family's journey from the moment of Paris' death to the present day is depicted in raw, unfiltered detail throughout the documentary. The film uses a combination of personal home videos, court records, and recent interviews to tell the story.

The Family I Had provides a glimpse into the lives of the family members who are dealing with an extreme form of grief, guilt, and forgiveness. It's a gripping tale of a family that was once close-knit but was destroyed by a horrific act. Through their story, the film shines a light on important themes such as mental illness, the American justice system, the complexities of family dynamics, and the fragility of life. It even exposes the darkness that exists in our society by showing the difficulties that faced those who have a child who has committed the unimaginable.

Charity Lee, the mother of Paris, served as one of the talking heads in the documentary. Her interviews carry the bulk of the storytelling throughout the film. She speaks candidly about her own experiences of being a mother and the guilt that she feels over Paris' death. Charity had tried her best to give her children a good life, but the tragic incident had left her feeling helpless and sorrowed. Her story of emotional resilience and the psychological burden that mothers can bear is heart-wrenching.

Another interviewee in the documentary is Kyla, Paris' surviving sibling, who was four years old when the horrific incident occurred. Her interviews were an essential aspect of the documentary as it was her story that drew the audience in. She speaks about the disorientation she felt after the death of her younger brother, how it created a void in her life, and how the absence of Paris eventually pulled her closer to her brother's murderer. As she went on to meet and form an unexpected bond with him for the first time in years, the audience felt the emotional weight of everything the family went through.

Ella Bennett, Paris' half-sister and Paris' half-brother's biological sister, is also featured in the documentary. Like Kyla, she has lived through the tragedy in her own unique way. Ella provides an insightful perspective on the relationship that existed between Paris' siblings – a mixture of laughter, love, and heartbreak. She speaks with an articulate form of powerful guilt and confusion, and the audience can feel the genuineness of her emotions.

The Family I Had is a must-watch for anyone who wants to delve into the various aspects of life, from family dynamics to crime, forgiveness, the American justice system, mental illness, and resilience. The film is well-executed and emotionally charged. The use of home movies makes the story feel personal while effectively capturing the rollercoaster of emotions that the family experiences.

In conclusion, The Family I Had is deeply dramatic and heartbreaking, as it tells the tale of a family dealing with the aftermath of a terrible tragedy. The documentary lays bare the tragic events in a transparent way that highlights both the agony and the strength of the people who survived the incident's aftermath. It's a reminder that life is fragile, and it's critical to cherish the moments spent with our loved ones.

The Family I Had is a 2017 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.