Some runaways, others abandoned or neglected by their parents, this Oscar nominated documentary tracks the experiences of a group of teenagers living on the streets of Seattle. The film has several powerful moments as it is revealed just how young some of the teens are and the scattered scenes featuring their parents certainly linger in the mind. Most memorably, one mother refers to what her daughter is going through on the streets as "just a phase" while a teenage boy visits his father in jail who does nothing but criticise him and lecture him on what not to do. Interesting as it is to have such a candid insight into the issue of homeless teens, several moments nevertheless feel rehearsed and the way the kids philosophically wax poetic about life never quite feels real. Some playing up for the camera is, of course, to be expected, but the film may have benefited from the filmmakers more judiciously editing these parts to ensure focus on the teens interacting naturally in their surrounds. On the same note, less interview style footage and more fly-on-the-wall (observational) footage may have rendered the film more intimate. If imperfect, 'Streetwise' has had an undeniable effect on many who have viewed it throughout the years, and if one engages with all of the teenagers, the experience is no doubt overwhelming. One's mileage with the film simply may vary. Whatever the case, the film both begins and concludes on pitch perfect notes with whistling over the opening credits in lieu of music and a Teddy Bears' Picnic ditty at the end, sung with perfect restraint.
Review of Streetwise
