Rich Hill

I grew up in a town very close to Rich Hill and I get this. It seems easier to judge when the area is farther from where you live. There is a big problem with poverty in Missouri especially in rural areas where job options are limited and good education may be harder to obtain; my home town also struggles with it but has some advantage in being closer to the jobs in Kansas City( if the car expense can be covered). These rural areas really suffer when they are outside of public busing distance to big city jobs as Rich Hill is and when too many factories have pulled out. Even my hometown is outside of busing limits so people have to carpool or have very good working car and afford the gas to get to the job in Kansas City and live off it. Living in the city is no picnic either as Kansas City rental rates are getting higher and higher for rent and apartments can be quite scary compared to knowing everyone in your smaller town(I am experiencing that now as pay raises are not matching inflation at all.) Yeah, I get this, insightful movie.

Well made doc, but the parents.... Notice the abusive tones, drug addiction (constantly smoking cigs), terrible role-models, and much, much more. These parents have failed their kids more than anyone else has. It goes to show that education—although not absolutely conducive to success—sure as hell helps a lot in life.

This just goes to show the economic disparity in this country.

All I could think of is the fat cats sitting in their penthouses in clothes on that very minute that "cost more" than what all of those families have combined.

The worst thing about this documentary is the truth behind it—the kids are the victims.

This movie is well made and shines a non-judgmental light on what everyone knows is a big problem in Missouri and the nation. I think everyone knows people like this in whatever community you live in. Should these people be judged? What is the takeaway here? I do feel sorry for these kids living in abject poverty, with no way to better themselves... Who is at fault for this. Not the kids. Tobacco. Alcohol. Drug abuse. It's like the parents are physically present, but have a maturity level that is even lower than their kids. I don't know what this movie is really about, but it's 100% true, and it's kind of troubling to watch.

I tried watching this before but could only get through like 20 minutes of the film. Very Depressing watching people live in these conditions, especially children. The United States gives other countries millions of dollars a year!! WRONG! Why can't we help people like this here in our own country? Anything to give them a boost, head start, whatever you want to call it? It was a great documentary and well made. Hopefully these families have received some help or have had help to pull them up out of the slump they're in??

Thought provoking documentary about poverty and its impact on families. Beautifully shot and edited. Captured some very intimate moments of the lives of three young lads. Its not preachy or judgemental but just gives you a slice of their lives It's easy for people to pass judgement and criticise the parents but no doubt the parents had a rough upbringing too and they therefore lack parenting skills. A very sad and touching film but very well produced and I'm glad I watched it.