She was talking to some parents in a judgmental tone instead of just asking questions to find out information. It was a turn off. She did better with the children.
28 Reviews
More compassionate interviewer would make it better
crogers-4416329 January 2021
Watch "The Florida Project"
Icestarfish-115 March 2021
Not the best documentary, it's such a sad subject as are all of the documentaries involving California. I recommend watching "The Florida Project" which is a movie starring Willem Dafoe based on the same subject but in Florida.
Disturbing look at America's invisible children
jbarnes-109 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I watched Homeless over the weekend and this is a hard film to review.
First, there are really two stories here. One, the needless suffering of the children and two the parents that got them into this mess.
Several families are featured in the film all living in the same run down, crime and drug filled, by the week motel. Located right across the street from Disneyland,in Anaheim CA,it's location is ironic. Bottom of the barrel on one side, Land of Enchantment on the other. By the end of the film it's pretty clear which kids have a fighting chance to escape this mess and which kids are probably going to be in jail by the time their 14.
Of the families featured, only two of them seemed like functioning family units. You see closeness and love and actual parenting going on. Despite the circumstances the kids seem happy and supportive of their siblings and they take their chores (like washing dishes and taking out the trash) very seriously.
The other parents are(to put it bluntly)losers who should never have had kids and should probably have their kids taken from them. One selfish mother insists on keep 4 dogs in the small filthy room with her and her three kids, this tells you just how important the kids are to her, if you don't have a dollar to your name, you get rid of the dogs. I just wanted to slap her in the face.
Both of her sons already show signs of aggressive, acting out behavior and she just dismisses it as nothing. In the end her oldest son breaks into another room at the motel and steals something leading to their eviction. The angry reaction of her younger son to this news pretty much sums up the life he is going to lead (the mother is also so obese that she could never get a better job then the $9.00 one she has).
The only bright spot these kids have is a special school for homeless kids. This part of the film does instill some hope that at least some of these kids might make it out of their current situations without to much harm and have better lives later on. All of the kids love their school and it is the one constant in their lives.
The filmmakers give us very little back-story on how these families ended up at the motel. But it is fair to assume that these were families already living on the edge financially and were working poor to begin with. There were no regular middle class suburban families featured as I don't think there were any at the motel. Most of the residents seemed like gang bangers and white trash, so for the half way normal families the place is a living hell.
Now almost four years later I would love to know what happened to some of the families and if they were able to get a home and get out of the motel.
First, there are really two stories here. One, the needless suffering of the children and two the parents that got them into this mess.
Several families are featured in the film all living in the same run down, crime and drug filled, by the week motel. Located right across the street from Disneyland,in Anaheim CA,it's location is ironic. Bottom of the barrel on one side, Land of Enchantment on the other. By the end of the film it's pretty clear which kids have a fighting chance to escape this mess and which kids are probably going to be in jail by the time their 14.
Of the families featured, only two of them seemed like functioning family units. You see closeness and love and actual parenting going on. Despite the circumstances the kids seem happy and supportive of their siblings and they take their chores (like washing dishes and taking out the trash) very seriously.
The other parents are(to put it bluntly)losers who should never have had kids and should probably have their kids taken from them. One selfish mother insists on keep 4 dogs in the small filthy room with her and her three kids, this tells you just how important the kids are to her, if you don't have a dollar to your name, you get rid of the dogs. I just wanted to slap her in the face.
Both of her sons already show signs of aggressive, acting out behavior and she just dismisses it as nothing. In the end her oldest son breaks into another room at the motel and steals something leading to their eviction. The angry reaction of her younger son to this news pretty much sums up the life he is going to lead (the mother is also so obese that she could never get a better job then the $9.00 one she has).
The only bright spot these kids have is a special school for homeless kids. This part of the film does instill some hope that at least some of these kids might make it out of their current situations without to much harm and have better lives later on. All of the kids love their school and it is the one constant in their lives.
The filmmakers give us very little back-story on how these families ended up at the motel. But it is fair to assume that these were families already living on the edge financially and were working poor to begin with. There were no regular middle class suburban families featured as I don't think there were any at the motel. Most of the residents seemed like gang bangers and white trash, so for the half way normal families the place is a living hell.
Now almost four years later I would love to know what happened to some of the families and if they were able to get a home and get out of the motel.
Good documentary but frustrating
yesdnilw12 January 2016
Warning: Spoilers
*CONTAINS SPOILERS*
Eye opening, sad and actually made me depressed.
I can't help but feel sort of frustrated though with some of the parents. Like the family with 4-5 dogs? How about get rid of the animals and put what you spend on the dogs into savings? I am an avid animal lover but if you are damn near next to homeless your children come first. Your children need you, you do not need your pets. And also, having your son attend your boyfriends funeral? Ditch the boyfriends and focus on getting your children a roof over their head. I feel sorry for the children, not so much for some of these "adults".
Eye opening, sad and actually made me depressed.
I can't help but feel sort of frustrated though with some of the parents. Like the family with 4-5 dogs? How about get rid of the animals and put what you spend on the dogs into savings? I am an avid animal lover but if you are damn near next to homeless your children come first. Your children need you, you do not need your pets. And also, having your son attend your boyfriends funeral? Ditch the boyfriends and focus on getting your children a roof over their head. I feel sorry for the children, not so much for some of these "adults".
Filmmaker/Producer adds shame to an already hurting group *SPOILER ALERT*
juliintenn23 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILER: I quote the movie directly in my comments below...
2 stars.....
The two stars I gave to this film were because of the actual glimpse of real life I was given, showing me the nature of the Orange County housing market, the Hope School and the beacon of light it brings to the community. The reason I even felt compelled to review it was the nature of the questions and the demeanor of the woman who was conducting all the interviews in the film. Honestly at first I wasn't sure if she was for real! The questions she posed to the adults were fine, but the way she spoke to the children made my blood boil She was shaming and her lack of experience with interacting with children was obvious. She posed questions that the kids could never answer or that would make them face the already shamed state of homelessness.
These were the questions: "Where did you get that shirt? {the shirt said "Nantucket"which we all know is a very wealthy northeastern town/tourist area. A place he knew nothing about. She just needed to point out something and almost shame him for having it as a donation...totally lacks tact. After the little boy responded "donation" she said "you look good!" "It looks good on you!"
"What's the worst part about being a homeless kid" and she asked this of 6 year old little Josh Brewster. The thing is, he is homeless, he is 6, and he doesn't feel the weight of the world like adults do...he still goes to school, he still plays with his friends, he has meals and clothes and a roof. He made me so proud when he answered "When people ask me dumb questions!" EXACTLY little guy...good for you. You don't know what the worst thing is about being homeless...you are a little kid. Why doesn't that lady just stop talking to you like you're an adult.
She said to Ms. Brewster "you work in the happiest place on earth {speaking about DisneyLand} is your family the happiest family on earth?? WTF? I mean really lady?? This is so shaming and upsetting, it lacks tact and neutrality. And Ms Brewster responded, said "kinda sorta" - You know what makes you the happiest family on earth? It doesn't come from the places you are...the things you have...I applaud you for saying "kinda sorta" Because this interviewer has NO IDEA how to relate to you, these questions are absolutely stupid.
I couldn't hardly watch it all the way through. My heart broke for the kids, and she just added fuel to the fire. This subject could have been explored with much more compassion if she had been replaced with someone who had a mother's heart and training with children and their fragile hearts. Shame on you guys for not preparing the interviewer more, she really dropped the ball.
2 stars.....
The two stars I gave to this film were because of the actual glimpse of real life I was given, showing me the nature of the Orange County housing market, the Hope School and the beacon of light it brings to the community. The reason I even felt compelled to review it was the nature of the questions and the demeanor of the woman who was conducting all the interviews in the film. Honestly at first I wasn't sure if she was for real! The questions she posed to the adults were fine, but the way she spoke to the children made my blood boil She was shaming and her lack of experience with interacting with children was obvious. She posed questions that the kids could never answer or that would make them face the already shamed state of homelessness.
These were the questions: "Where did you get that shirt? {the shirt said "Nantucket"which we all know is a very wealthy northeastern town/tourist area. A place he knew nothing about. She just needed to point out something and almost shame him for having it as a donation...totally lacks tact. After the little boy responded "donation" she said "you look good!" "It looks good on you!"
"What's the worst part about being a homeless kid" and she asked this of 6 year old little Josh Brewster. The thing is, he is homeless, he is 6, and he doesn't feel the weight of the world like adults do...he still goes to school, he still plays with his friends, he has meals and clothes and a roof. He made me so proud when he answered "When people ask me dumb questions!" EXACTLY little guy...good for you. You don't know what the worst thing is about being homeless...you are a little kid. Why doesn't that lady just stop talking to you like you're an adult.
She said to Ms. Brewster "you work in the happiest place on earth {speaking about DisneyLand} is your family the happiest family on earth?? WTF? I mean really lady?? This is so shaming and upsetting, it lacks tact and neutrality. And Ms Brewster responded, said "kinda sorta" - You know what makes you the happiest family on earth? It doesn't come from the places you are...the things you have...I applaud you for saying "kinda sorta" Because this interviewer has NO IDEA how to relate to you, these questions are absolutely stupid.
I couldn't hardly watch it all the way through. My heart broke for the kids, and she just added fuel to the fire. This subject could have been explored with much more compassion if she had been replaced with someone who had a mother's heart and training with children and their fragile hearts. Shame on you guys for not preparing the interviewer more, she really dropped the ball.
Very Heartbreaking
lizzyblueyez3 January 2016
I watch this documentary today and it was very sad. I knew what the subject matter would be (homeless children/families) but was unprepared for the way it made me feel.It was the children that pulled at my heartstrings because they were thrown into being homeless and living at that terrible motel.They had to learn about death,crime,poverty, all before some of them were even pre-teens.The look in their faces when they were being interviewed, there was a hopeless expression.When some were asked what were they looking forward to as they grew up; a few of them sadly replied "nothing". It's as if they believed their lives meant nothing and never would. No child should feel that way. I still can't understand how America the richest country in the world has children and families that live this way.
Missed opportunity
sarahmas23 August 2010
I think there is a compelling story here to tell; unfortunately the filmmaker didn't find it. The documentary was disjointed and exploitative. There was no narrative and no cohesion; many kids were introduced for a few minutes and then never heard from again. And we didn't get a full storyline for any of them; many of the kids from the few featured families just mugged for the camera. I wanted to know more about the family backgrounds and about the situations the led to their motel residency.
While I understand why Pelosi selected Orange County, she never really contrasted the kids' experience with that of their more well off peers. Simply parading them past Disneyland and talking about how they had never been inside didn't provide any real insight.
Finally, I think the background research was lacking. The first woman's claim that you can't get a studio in Orange County for less than $1300 is flat out wrong. Maybe that's true in Irvine or Newport Beach, but definitely not in Orange, Anaheim, Santa Ana, and other cities in the area. I also would have liked to have learned about other organizations that are helping disadvantaged children in the area as well as charitable efforts of OC corporations - including the vilified Walt Disney Company.
This was a very disappointing film. The kids are cute and charming and their story deserves to be told by a more talented filmmaker.
While I understand why Pelosi selected Orange County, she never really contrasted the kids' experience with that of their more well off peers. Simply parading them past Disneyland and talking about how they had never been inside didn't provide any real insight.
Finally, I think the background research was lacking. The first woman's claim that you can't get a studio in Orange County for less than $1300 is flat out wrong. Maybe that's true in Irvine or Newport Beach, but definitely not in Orange, Anaheim, Santa Ana, and other cities in the area. I also would have liked to have learned about other organizations that are helping disadvantaged children in the area as well as charitable efforts of OC corporations - including the vilified Walt Disney Company.
This was a very disappointing film. The kids are cute and charming and their story deserves to be told by a more talented filmmaker.
An excellent and eye catching doc that makes you feel for the poor as many people simply just don't have.
blanbrn17 August 2010
I must say that of all the documentary films I've watched on HBO over the years this one was most touching and eye catching as after watching you really feel good to have what you have as many people simply don't as everyday life from sleeping, eating, paying rent, and having money is a constant struggle. As Alexandra Pelosi who's great as always captures the current times of the recession and economic struggles as she showcases the problems of her home state of California in this strong eye catching doc "Homeless: The Motel Kids of Orange County".
Being homeless is tough and one thing, but here Alexandra shows what life is like for poor kids growing up in Orange County, California. As it shows how and why these kids have to live in cheap rundown motels along the county where it's infested with crime such as gang activity and drugs. It proves a point one big problem in America is the wage factor as clearly with kids these families don't even make enough to afford a decent apartment so please raise wages! As these families can't afford decent food as shown are these children eating and living off of candy and snacks as proved people who are poor have bad diets leading to poor health. And these families can't even afford good schools which further disadvantages these kids from ever getting good jobs. And with all of the every present surrounding crime activity these kids are likely to end up in jail at a young age.
Really a sad film yet it shows what life in America is like for many be thankful if you have something it's sad this happens in America, but some have and so many don't as clearly the poor motel kids of Orange County, California don't.
Being homeless is tough and one thing, but here Alexandra shows what life is like for poor kids growing up in Orange County, California. As it shows how and why these kids have to live in cheap rundown motels along the county where it's infested with crime such as gang activity and drugs. It proves a point one big problem in America is the wage factor as clearly with kids these families don't even make enough to afford a decent apartment so please raise wages! As these families can't afford decent food as shown are these children eating and living off of candy and snacks as proved people who are poor have bad diets leading to poor health. And these families can't even afford good schools which further disadvantages these kids from ever getting good jobs. And with all of the every present surrounding crime activity these kids are likely to end up in jail at a young age.
Really a sad film yet it shows what life in America is like for many be thankful if you have something it's sad this happens in America, but some have and so many don't as clearly the poor motel kids of Orange County, California don't.
Zero tact, vulnerable subjects are exploited
RMarie175 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Besides having no aesthetic or technical skill, the filmmaker spends the majority of the film asking tactless questions of both the parents and the children featured. I'm not sure of her background but she really didn't seem to know how to build relationships with the people in the film. It came off as sloppy and exploitative. The filmmaker doesn't seem to have experienced poverty before and that definitely shows in the types of facepalm questions she asks. At one point a six year old boy calls her out for asking dumb questions and that was basically the highlight of the film for me. I didn't make it all the way through.
If this type of subject interests you but you want to watch a well made film, check out Florida Project. It's not a doc but very good.
If this type of subject interests you but you want to watch a well made film, check out Florida Project. It's not a doc but very good.
Horrible filmmaking
sleepyvegan2 June 2020
California at it's finest.
bobegbert28 November 2020
I found this documentary almost too harsh to watch but give it a chance. To the reviewers that say that the film exploits the poor and homeless. I think that it does a good job of showing how the poor are exploited by the system.
Would give 0/10 if possible
diannagriggs4 January 2021
The person filming this did a horrible injustice to these children. She asked questions to solicit shame, sadness, worthlessness and hopelessness. The problem certainly did need to be explored, but not in a way that exploits, belittles or harms innocent children. She did nothing to help them or offer any hope. In fact she asked questions such as, "Why would God allow children to be homeless?" What's the purpose for this question except to make a child feel unloved by God or disbelieve one exists. That is not her place. She asked the children many disturbing questions about their situations, as if the children could somehow change them. She belittled the parents who were trying to make a better life for their families. This person is from a wealthy family with resources to actually help these people and all she did was add to their pain.
A trudged we ignore every day.
hubbard-5183613 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
As just about everyone has said, this is a hard film to watch. There is no narration, just watching these poor children and asking them some simple questions. There are no stats or figures. With the harsh environment Homeless portrays, there is fittingly no happy ending. I knew a high school nurse in a small town in Georgia who also fostered some children for a bit, it it was too difficult. Homeless serves as a visual aid for the stories she always told me.
Disappointing
maldez9 November 2014
This was a gritty topic that had the potential to be as good as other HBO documentaries in the category ("Aslyum", "The Best Hotel on Skid Row") but came nowhere close. It had no style, no technique, and little cinematic effect. Basically, it looked like the result of somebody wandering around with a camcorder.
There was no narration, which set it back immediately. "The Best Hotel on Skid Row" was narrated by Charles Bukowski (poet, novelist and short story writer) with a distinguishing gravelly voice that set the tone for the low-end world of skid hotels that the viewer getting a tour of. "Homeless: The Motel Kids of Orange County" was like watching a home movie.
There was no narration, which set it back immediately. "The Best Hotel on Skid Row" was narrated by Charles Bukowski (poet, novelist and short story writer) with a distinguishing gravelly voice that set the tone for the low-end world of skid hotels that the viewer getting a tour of. "Homeless: The Motel Kids of Orange County" was like watching a home movie.
One kid actually gives the best answer possible & I truly fear for some many of them
tirzeh10 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Near the beginning she asks a little boy what's one thing he doesn't like about being homeless and after thinking about it for a second he says that everybody asks stupid questions. That was the best answer she got from anyone! Near the end I felt truly afraid for certain kids like Cassidy who had just been embarrassed into having to answer why she had to have her head shaved. After asking her where she's staying now, Cassidy answers, Nowhere. Then she scares me with her blunt answers and the truth of the fact that she has no future and nothing to look forward to in life. Alk I could see in this beautiful little girls life from here on out is desperate choices and even possibly worse, even suicide and it makes me feel horrible and extremely sad to say that. Pelosi couldn't have been more ignorant and demeaning to kids who didn't need any more of that in their lives much less from a rich and rude stranger who didn't have to wear "donation" clothes and be made to feel grateful to eat from a soup kitchen. She should stick with what she knows, Pelosi that is, and keep following jackass politicians around the country. Sorry....
Eye opening
larabethrandall27 September 2020
I thought this was a good look at a side of society they we frequently turn a blind eye to. The fact that they live within eyesight of Disneyland makes it that much more riveting. Compelling. Many of the scenes haven't left me after watching over a year ago.
Filmmaker is so rude!
shanna-nicole825 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I rarely write reviews, but I had too. I wanted to give this a chance because she's the daughter of Nancy Pelosi. She's horrible. Asking degrading questions. One part, a little Hispanic boy is dancing and she asks are those gang signs. Why would you ask a little kid that? Just demeaning. Asked another little girl, why was she embarrassed to sleep in the bushes. Why do you think she's embarrassed??? It's plain insensitive and exploitative. I literally couldn't finish it. Missed a great opportunity to highlight such an important topic.
Homeless Children is the saddest thing in America
lwilso-964178 July 2020
I watched this and felt compelled with a sense of guilt. So many of us have it so good and so few don't. I wish Corporations and Institutions and Governments would see this as the saddest thing in our society happening today. Maybe we could hold off building one space rocket or not build one naval ship and use this money to lift these people out of poverty. I wish this was only a California problem due to the outrageous housing prices but it's just one area of many in America. Hopefully Hbo and Pelosi was able to share some of this films proceeds (if there was any) for the kids and families interviewed in this film. The documentary was put together well, but I didn't agree with some of the questions the kids were asked. I did like that one kids response when he was asked what people say when your homeless, he answered "people ask stupid questions". Anyhow the documentary is heartbreaking and bleak, but there is hope here in America still. We just need to make their problem our problem.
"Why would God let you be homeless?"
babygunz4715 March 2021
Truly Horrible Director
mlovrien1 August 2021
I watched The Florida Project and read about this doc and decided to give it a chance. At first the way of questioning was a little off-putting but manageable. After halfway through it becomes unbearable. Hard to imagine someone could speak so callously to children.
Pointless
theethinethou17 December 2020
All this dumb waste of energy does is exploit the pain of these people. Pelosi knows how to ask cynical questions that imply America is bad. She tries to sneak these probing questions in like we are too stupid to notice her agenda.
At one point Pelosi asks a vulnerable little girl "Do you think God knows you're homeless" (stupid, stupid Pelosi- exactly what the heck is the point of asking a little girl this question...EXPLOITIVE)
The sweet little girl answers "Yes I do"
Pelosi then asks another little girl the same question, but the wise little girl gives an answer that firmly puts Pelosi in here place. The camera then cuts away...
SICKENING
We don't need people like this even going near the homeless. Shameful crap!
At one point Pelosi asks a vulnerable little girl "Do you think God knows you're homeless" (stupid, stupid Pelosi- exactly what the heck is the point of asking a little girl this question...EXPLOITIVE)
The sweet little girl answers "Yes I do"
Pelosi then asks another little girl the same question, but the wise little girl gives an answer that firmly puts Pelosi in here place. The camera then cuts away...
SICKENING
We don't need people like this even going near the homeless. Shameful crap!
disrespectful
eaallen-1227227 December 2020
From the very beginning the interviewer is so disrespectful and asks these questions in a condescending tone as if she's trying to blame the parents for how they got there. I couldn't make it more than 20 minutes in because it felt like she was trying to exploit them rather than shed light on the systemic issue of homelessness
Film Maker is a terrible person!!
trobbins-484204 January 2021
Alexandra Pelsoi is a pathetic person for making this film. The saddest part of the film isn't the kids living in those conditions, but the questions she asked those kids. Making them relive every bad things that has ever happened to them. Making these kids answer question that make them feel worse about the situation they are in when the situation isn't their fault. Shaming a kid isn't saying she got her hair cut because she has lice.
Alexandra's mother (terrible person too) could do so much for these kids and that community, but instead she just belittles them. Shoves a camera in their faces and belittles them. Then goes back to her room and the Radisson! MAKES ME SICK!!
Alexandra's mother (terrible person too) could do so much for these kids and that community, but instead she just belittles them. Shoves a camera in their faces and belittles them. Then goes back to her room and the Radisson! MAKES ME SICK!!
Crazy
lanasmith-5605514 February 2023
I think it's Alexandra Pelosi that is doing the interview questions or whoever it was they are rude and judgmental. You're supposedly Democrat with compassion but the movie comes off harsh and criticizing the people. California under Nancy Pelosi, proves Democrats are hypocrites and don't know how to run cities/governments. She made her mother look worse than I thought she was. The questions also come off demeaning. You try to blame everything on the people. This movie is completely horrible. I hope that you compensated all the families for being on a film that makes them look bad. You try to make them seem as if they are terrible parents.
Agree with previous reviews - missed opportunity
kimber-971432 January 2021
While this was an eye opening documentary, the questions from the film staff were not empathetic to their history or life experience. I felt like the production crew took advantage of the children and family dynamics.
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