Review of Dear Jesse

Dear Jesse (1997)
10/10
A plea for sanity
26 May 1999
This is a touching documentary about a young man who lives in New York City but grew up in North Carolina. He addresses his narrative in the film to Jesse Helms, the overtly and unabasedly homophobic Senator from North Carolina.

The narrator revisits many places where he grew up and interviews friends and family asking about the bigotry that Helms openly displays. The narrator discovers that many people in his home state share his views of Helms. Realizing this, the narrator feels that he is no longer alienated from his birth state.

He makes an interesting point about the North Carolina motto which states that what is true is more important than what merely seems true. He then applies this motto to the condition of bigotry masquerading as civility.

One of the most touching aspects of the film is the "PS" at the end.

This film is a must for anyone trying to teach real family values and tolerance in America. I was touched and moved by the experience.
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