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Stevie (2002)

Stevie (2002)
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In the early '80s, Steve James was a student at Southern Illinois University who volunteered for the local Big Brother program and served as a mentor for Stephen Dale Fielding (Stevie for short), a troubled 11-year-old boy with unhappy family relationships. Given up by his mother when her husband decided he didn't want him in the house, Stevie was primarily raised by his step-grandmother and had already begun to reveal a stubborn and easily distracted personality when he met James. After he graduated from college, James lost contact with Fielding, but in 1995, after James had gone on to a career as a documentary filmmaker (and won acclaim for his film Hoop Dreams), he was reintroduced to Stevie, only to learn that his life had taken a number of wrong turns. After a number of scrapes with the law and on-going battles with his family, Fielding had been charged with molesting his eight-year-old cousin, and he'd opted for a trial (which could lead to a twenty year prison sentence) rather than receive counseling, due in part to his experiences in a mental hospital. James and his wife (who counsels sex offenders) wanted to offer Stevie whatever help they could, and James opted to make a film about him, hoping to discover where Stevie's life and gone wrong and how his tragic turn of fate could have been prevented. At the same time, James (like many others in Stevie's life) began to wonder what they could have done, and to what degree they let him down, with James torn between his feelings for his friend and his need to portray all sides honestly. Featuring interviews with Fielding, his family, and his friends, the documentary Stevie examines how society's safety net failed to catch one young man before it was too late. Stevie was shown in competition at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Stephen Dale FieldingVerna Hagler, (more)
Director(s):
Steve James
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Stevie

In the early '80s, Steve James was a student at Southern Illinois University who volunteered for the local Big Brother program and served as a mentor for Stephen Dale Fielding (Stevie for short), a troubled 11-year-old boy with unhappy family relationships. Given up by his mother when her husband decided he didn't want him in the house, Stevie was primarily raised by his step-grandmother and had already begun to reveal a stubborn and easily distracted personality when he met James. After he graduated from college, James lost contact with Fielding, but in 1995, after James had gone on to a career as a documentary filmmaker (and won acclaim for his film Hoop Dreams), he was reintroduced to Stevie, only to learn that his life had taken a number of wrong turns. After a number of scrapes with the law and on-going battles with his family, Fielding had been charged with molesting his eight-year-old cousin, and he'd opted for a trial (which could lead to a twenty year prison sentence) rather than receive counseling, due in part to his experiences in a mental hospital. James and his wife (who counsels sex offenders) wanted to offer Stevie whatever help they could, and James opted to make a film about him, hoping to discover where Stevie's life and gone wrong and how his tragic turn of fate could have been prevented. At the same time, James (like many others in Stevie's life) began to wonder what they could have done, and to what degree they let him down, with James torn between his feelings for his friend and his need to portray all sides honestly. Featuring interviews with Fielding, his family, and his friends, the documentary Stevie examines how society's safety net failed to catch one young man before it was too late. Stevie was shown in competition at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
145 mins

Complete Cast of Stevie


Director(s):
Steve James
Producer(s):
Steve JamesGordon QuinnAdam Singer
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Categories:
Independent FilmsSpecial InterestDocumentary
Stevie Awards:
  • 2003 - Sundance Film Festival - Excellence in Documentary Cinematography
  • 2003 - Sundance Film Festival - Excellence in Documentary Cinematography
  • 2003 - Sundance Film Festival - Excellence in Documentary Cinematography
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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Member Reviews
 
Ken S.

This movie will be with you long after seeing it. Its honesty haunts you. No Hollywood lights or glamour just a painful glimpse of life as it is experienced by the underbelly of our society. If your taste for movies leans toward substance then you will want to see this movie. I can't stop thinking about it. Is Stevie a victim or monster? Do you feel sorry for him or despise him? Hats off to director Steve James. I'm glad I saw this movie and highly recommend it.

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Chris B.

I was touched very deeply by this movie. Because of the honesty and truthful insight it allowed the viewer to see people in a whole new light. This movie is a great example of how the choices we make affect everyone around us. Stevie got what he deserved. Yet I wonder how much of life would have been different only ifÂ…

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Deborah N.

This is a documentary that is at once deeply disturbing and yet immensely touching. The courage of the filmaker, as well as his subjects, makes this a very important film. Stevie is an enigma - he is a deeply damaged and disturbed young man, but it is hard not to feel great sympathy for him. Steve James has given us a great deal to contemplate long after the movie is over.

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