Devil's Playground (2002) Reviews
- Director(s):
- Lucy Walker
- Category:
- Documentary, Special Interest, Independent Films
Member Rating
My RatingAverage Ratings
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful Don't rent this movie if you want some "X" rated, prurient view of out of control Amish teens. It is, however, a deeply personal look at a religion few of us are familiar with. It was very ... Read More Don't rent this movie if you want some "X" rated, prurient view of out of control Amish teens. It is, however, a deeply personal look at a religion few of us are familiar with. It was very surprising to me that when Amish kids turn 16, they are allowed months, or even years, to experience all the outside world has to offer. The young people depicted in this allowed us to see how they responded to the world beyond their Amish community. They allowed the cameras to show them in not always very flattering circumstances. I was both fascinated and touched by their candor. They are, in the final analysis, not so different from teenagers eveywhere, but their choices are more difficult, choosing between the big world and their small, intimate, and safe community. I highly recommend this film. It is at once informative and touching. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful This appeared to be a low budget documentary. The filmmakers did a great job. I enjoyed most of the audio track, and the photography and editing was usually good as well. Don't forget to watch the ... Read More This appeared to be a low budget documentary. The filmmakers did a great job. I enjoyed most of the audio track, and the photography and editing was usually good as well. Don't forget to watch the deleted scenes. A great look at another side of Amish culture.
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful While this film was enlighting, the biggest exposure was to the worst-case boy who was a crank-head and sold drugs. The kids who just drank and/or slept around and had "English" clothes and ... Read More While this film was enlighting, the biggest exposure was to the worst-case boy who was a crank-head and sold drugs. The kids who just drank and/or slept around and had "English" clothes and cars(OK-they were bad enough) were barely mentioned. The most offensive thing to me was the constant stream of profanity from the main character. See if you can spot the huge "L" on his forehead! Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
3 out of 6 people found this review helpful I, too, felt this doc. was incomplete. The Amish retention rate continues to rise because the gulf between the "English" and the Amish continues to widen... Having an 8th grade education and ... Read More I, too, felt this doc. was incomplete. The Amish retention rate continues to rise because the gulf between the "English" and the Amish continues to widen... Having an 8th grade education and utilizing no modern day conveniences wasn't that big of a difference a hundred years ago. Now, technology advances at a rate quicker than that to which even most modern people can adjust, and education is becoming more and more specialized. Add complete alienation and banishment from everything you know and love, and the 90% retention rate makes sense. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful The film documents what the Amish let their kids experience during rumspringa. I was impressed to see how openminded the Amish are, allowing their kids (as depicted in the film)to become binge ... Read More The film documents what the Amish let their kids experience during rumspringa. I was impressed to see how openminded the Amish are, allowing their kids (as depicted in the film)to become binge drinkers, drug abusers and even dealers, in such a short period of their lives.
BUT, what the documentary didn't show is any explanation as to why 90% of these kids decide to keep being in the church. It doesn't show the kind of social pressure that bears on them to come back to the church, which would have completed the whole pciture of rumspringa. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful It was interesting to see how some of the kids just let loose , I wish it had gone further into the lives of the kids as they fought the modern vices--- as to going back into the life totally. It is ... Read More It was interesting to see how some of the kids just let loose , I wish it had gone further into the lives of the kids as they fought the modern vices--- as to going back into the life totally. It is a shame they do not educate their children...Bet few would come back if they did
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