this doco kept me glued to my seat through its entirety strictly because of the tragic and appalling set of circumstances and revelations that kept this story about a boys broken life moving forward so miserably that i needed to know what became of him....i should of known! Im not sure whether the director's intentions were to solely benefit himself but as an "ex big brother" he didn't offer much guidance. In a way i blame Steve James for Stevies full 10year jail sentence because Stevie was convinced he had done nothing wrong and wouldn't admit to nothing... i think Steve could have talked sense into him and he would of got a much lighter sentence had he just admitted to it then gotten the real help he needed.

I don't think the person that wrote the review i read even watched this movie at all to get an opinion like the one i just read. This kid was rejected, abused in some manner, and let down by almost every adult he encountered in his entire young life. I think his own mother actually set him up to go to prison deliberately by her knowledge of his mental problems and the fact she was a participant in leaving him alone to watch young children knowing full well what could happen. This kid never had a chance. The foster parents said they had actually had to interevene and stop other boys from sexually assaulting Stevie when he was in their care, and yet left him to fend the other boys off for himself, knowing he would probably be raped, which he was, without a look backward. These people all sicken me. They were each and every one as responsible for how Stevie turned out as he has. The only real love this kid ever got was from his step grandparents. And even the grandfather died when Stevie was still a young boy. What the hell did they THINK was going to happen to Stevie?? I pray somehow the rest of his life turns out better than the miserable hell he experienced as a child. Kids raised the way this boy was are doomed from day 1. I hope his mother rots in hell for the part she played in his destruction. Good luck Stevie, may God watch over you. And may God hold an uncaring society responsible for looking the other way when you needed them most.

My heart goes out to Stevie and this documentary is a testament to the power of the people who raise children to forever shape that child's life. Stevie's mother should have been punished, not him, for ruining his life. What a tragedy. I hope he survives prison and goes on to get joy from life. He deserves joy. This documentary filmmaker is so so good.I also love Hoop Dreams which is another one of my favorites from this filmmaker. And making a documentary is a very special type of skill. Please, if the filmmakers are reading this, do a sequel and let us find out what happens when Stevie is back in the world after prison. And what happened to his then-girlfriend? A fascinating saga well told.Thank you for making this film.

I was beside myself watching this film because I was unable to reach into the screen and "save" Mr. James. Throughout, he appears and behaves as a most tortured soul. I can say with great experience that one may have a horrendous childhood and still not commit the crimes that Stevie continues to commit. Mr. James makes me feel as though he was a responsible party to these deeds and he in NO way was at fault. No matter what someone experiences as a child he or she may not inflict the pain to others that they themselves have experienced. As an adult you make decisions and as an adult you must pay for these crimes. My heart goes out to Stevie because I know how HOT the childhood coals can be. At the same time I feel he is the ONLY one who needs to feel badly. Never in his parting moments when asked what Mr. James could do for him did he mention Tonya or the child he molested. What becomes of them? The child will always pay for what Stevie did and if Tonya chooses she too will continue to care for Stevie and hurt. I feel for his victims and those who despite his callousness love him still. I will look for more films by Mr. James and be eager to see his work.