1982

I grew up in the 1980's, seeing firsthand, as a tween on the brink of adolescence, the devastation that crack cocaine had upon individuals and entire communities. Word on the street was that one hit and you were hooked. I already had an addictive personality, (mine were benign and included candy cigarettes and Atari), so I avoided that one hit because of shear fear. Fear was not a factor for those who found themselves helpless once the drug took control of their decisions, their emotions and ultimately their lives.

1982 takes a more intimate approach at telling the story of the very beginnings of the crack epidemic, focusing on a small, working class family that was literally torn apart and yet never fully dismantled because of the relentless, selfless, valiant efforts of Tim Brown (Hill Harper) - a man who would not allow the drug, or the conduits of that drug, to take away from him all that he truly loved and cherished. This included his beautiful wife Shanae (Sharon Leal), his very precocious daughter, Maya (Troi Zee) and his small business dreams.

The film's composition is unhindered by the usual cinematic flash and exploitative folly seen in feature films and is not at all "overly produced," which is quite fitting, considering the context of when the story takes place – a time when everyday life was very different than it is now – the 80s. The cast is top notch; the acting, superb. 1982 takes you for a ride through an emotional labyrinth of which we were uncertain to find escape, solace or safety. 1982 glues you to your seat bringing you to level of emotional investment and "presence" as the story painfully plays out on the big screen.

There are so many things I found striking about this film that this short review could easily mimic a thesis-driven cinematic analysis, so let me point out I personally found both significant and endearing – the lessons we can learn about enabling, blame and forgiveness – the complex, interwoven trio often found in situations where substance abuse is omnipresent in the very fabric of everyday life. Many of us are enablers, but we do it out of love, although its consequences result in quite the opposite. We all look for someone, something to blame in times of crisis and turmoil but often find ourselves empty-handed. We all challenge ourselves to truly forgive, because it is the only TRUE resolution, but our ego often stands in the way.

1982 both addresses and demonstrates how we can best share those lessons with children, in a meaningful way that does not belittle their feelings or disregard their own unique insight and perspectives on such intense, life-changing situations. The film provides a lens from which to view the micro dynamics of a macro level problem and clearly communicates our collective role, as members of a society - as members of a family - in the emergence and pervasiveness of the substance abuse. More importantly, 1982 offers strong messages about the efficacy of hope and the power of love – ingredients combined to form the ultimate

Excellent movie. At times, very difficult to watch. It's hard to remember the catastrophic effects of crack cocaine when it first hit the scene in the early 1980s. The story careens into heartbreak with a pretty severe crash. A man who is working to open a neighborhood laundromat suspects something is wrong with his wife. Before he can do anything about it, she disappears, falling under the influence of a former boyfriend. The man and his wife had a young daughter. The cast is excellent, the story is harrowing, the writing is good and the direction is very good. 1982 is a powerful film that will take the audience to some very unpleasant place, all the while showcasing what is decent and heroic (and often unsung) in people. I didn't know what to expect when I put this on, and got nearly more than I could handle.

Overall this is a good movie, but there was zero build up to her returning to being a drug user. It was like today she's a loving mom and wife and the next scene she's crackhead. Also I would've like a little bit more action. The problems wasn't the acting it was in the writing. A good watch, but worthy of 6 - 6.5 stars in my opinion.

I feel the movie is very believable it is possible for someone that truly loves his wife and child unconditionally with all of him. I read the 1 review and when making a movie you have to cram a story into a hour even if the events last years. I have seen people on drugs and the struggle that some go through. Some have a support system and some don't ,some can kick the drug addiction and some cant. Drugs will change your personality overnight and have you looking at the person in shock. I would say the movie is great the actors are effortless the story is heartfelt filled with love with the fight for survival in a world of drugs. To try to save a loved one from drugs takes a toll on everyone around.

I just read a review where someone stated that they couldn't see how a mom could go from being good to bad so fast well let me tell you by experience this movie got it right. Drugs can take an upper middle class very well educated loving devoted mother and wife and turn her into a monster over night. I love the fact that this movie shows how addiction affects family and the fact that it was the mom and not the dad who was an addict. In reality a larger number of addict are upper middle class women not men. A must see movie especially for those whom have no idea how addiction changes the user in an instant nor the effects it has on their family and friends. Well done Hill Harper and thank you for this heart achingly wonderful movie... From a 6yr recovering addict