Devil's Playground (2002) Reviews
- Director(s):
- Lucy Walker
- Category:
- Special Interest, Documentary, Independent Films
Member Rating
My RatingAverage Ratings
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful The kids interviewed in this documentary are impressively articulate, especially considering their education ended at 8th grade. They and the filmmakers draw a realistic portrait of the Amish as a ... Read More The kids interviewed in this documentary are impressively articulate, especially considering their education ended at 8th grade. They and the filmmakers draw a realistic portrait of the Amish as a society devoted to God, community and family. It's easy for outsiders to imagine why Amish kids might reject their faith and the self-denial it demands, but this film shows also that Amish kids get a real choice, and why 90% of them choose to stay in their faith. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful Interesting documentary on the rumspringa of the Amish teens. This is the period between 16 & 21 when they are free to dress "English" and do what English (being anyone other than Amish) teens do; ... Read More Interesting documentary on the rumspringa of the Amish teens. This is the period between 16 & 21 when they are free to dress "English" and do what English (being anyone other than Amish) teens do; but these kids all do so to the extreme. See these Amish teens drive fast cars, drink, use drugs and sell em as well, get arrested & have sex - why the lil scamps! Apparently90% of them do return to their Amish way of life after their few years of rumspringa. For me that was the only thing I really found surprising. They are only educated thru the 8th grade at which point they are made to quit school and work because "Education makes one proud". Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful Overall interesting. At one point it did seem to lag, but was interspersed well between the teenager's observations and some of the adult's perspectives (Amish preacher explaining why, a teen's ... Read More Overall interesting. At one point it did seem to lag, but was interspersed well between the teenager's observations and some of the adult's perspectives (Amish preacher explaining why, a teen's observation of the value of rumspringa, etc.). Don't miss the deleted scenes. No, there is not a great introduction to the rest of Amish culture- but there shouldn't be. It's focusing on the "Rumspringa" period. For that, it does a good job. The only lacking is that yes, it does appear biased- the teen sample had a much higher percentage choosing the "English" life. Nonetheless, I am interested in watching again... Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
4 out of 7 people found this review helpful See what happens when sheltered children, kept away from the world's realities, are suddenly let loose without rules and with no boundaries. It's scary. These kids were lucky that no physical harm ... Read More See what happens when sheltered children, kept away from the world's realities, are suddenly let loose without rules and with no boundaries. It's scary. These kids were lucky that no physical harm came to them. Someone should check the STD rate of these kids at some point down the line. Very sad movie. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful Very run-of-the-mill, character driven Documentary. Focuses on a couple kids and thier lives, sort of interesting, but i dont really enjoy those kinds of Docs. Pretty sensational, alot of very boring parts where you will forget that you are supposed to be watching a Doc about the Amish, and you find yourself listening to a drugged up kid talk and talk and talk. Again, its only my opinion, but i realized that i would rather be watching a doc about the Amish, cause there is very little light shed on the Amish community (unless your wholey ignorant of the culture, then you might get some cool info out of it) Mainly it should have been about 30 minutes long, not 76 minutes.WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful This was an interesting look into Amish life, but the same concepts and similar scenes were rehashed over and over again until I was kind of bored with it. The repetition made most of the kids in the ... Read More This was an interesting look into Amish life, but the same concepts and similar scenes were rehashed over and over again until I was kind of bored with it. The repetition made most of the kids in the film come across as shallow. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful I had watched a couple of episodes of Amish in the City on TV and thought I would try this documentary out. Wrong move. It follows the lives of a couple of Amish kids as they get to experience the ... Read More I had watched a couple of episodes of Amish in the City on TV and thought I would try this documentary out. Wrong move. It follows the lives of a couple of Amish kids as they get to experience the sins of the real world, while deciding whether they want to join the church. Very slow. But, I must say, those Amish sure can party.
Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 4 people found this review helpful This documentary just confirmed how crazy Amish people are. I cannot believe they trick the younger generation that drinking and partying is something people do all the freakin' time. Please watch ... Read More This documentary just confirmed how crazy Amish people are. I cannot believe they trick the younger generation that drinking and partying is something people do all the freakin' time. Please watch this crazy film to get some insight. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No |
Other Ways to Watch*
* Not all titles are available for download to rent or buy.
