Foster (2018) User Reviews

A difficult watch at times, but necessary nonetheless

[Le_Nausea · 8/10 · 17 May 2019]

I really enjoyed watching this documentary; I was 'on the edge of my seat' for most of the storyline's - particularly the young mixed race couple with the cocaine addicted mum who lost her baby in the hospital (although the father later gained custody). I don't know what it's like to be an American but where I live, foster care and the welfare system are a part of life that you wouldn't be aware of unless you were a part of it in some way. So this doco was insightful in many ways. It would be interesting to see if the characters and stories chosen were a small amount of success stories amongst a sea of negative experiences? That's the impression I got from watching - but I do not know the US stats and nor do I know the filmmakers intentions. Perhaps I will find the answer when I do some more reading. The filmmakers evidently chose to portray stories with relatively positive outcomes rather negative ones - and I do hope that helps the people involved and others to find their way out of such difficult situations.

im filled with sadness

[ops-52535 · 6/10 · 8 May 2019]

Its a docu about the lost children of los angeles. its a depressing story and a nonfavourable item for the government of usa.its like watching a pinball game, where the child are thrusted and thrown from here to there between fosterhomes etc.

the filmaking are raw material en masse', and that shows clearly on the parttakers, very stiff,eyes fluttering from anxiety and nerves, where nobody really get to say what they want the way they wont. the narrative are so bad and incoherent, so if i werent interested in the issue, i would have jumped of the travel.

important issue, but not a good docu, thinks the grumpy old man

A not-so-subtle roller coaster

[jopps-13953 · 10/10 · 12 May 2019]

Emotionally riveting, this film takes an in depth look at the lives of the many people who collectively provide a sampled taste of what it's like to be a part of the foster care system. This documentary is thought-provoking with no shortage of laughter or tears. Everyone's individual story is meshed together and interwoven like a quilt in order to help give insight and a broader view of the blanket that is the foster care system.

Ms. Beavers is an absolute delight, while Jessica, a motivated social worker, gives us some sort of hope that there is good in the world and positive changes to be made. The film shows that there is still MUCH work to be done by discussing topics such as racism, poverty, drugs, social reform, economic inequality and so much more.

I highly recommend this film for anyone interested in the foster care system, children, social issues, families, social reform, and anything having to do with the youth and our future.

Fresh, Insightful and Hopeful

[judyabernstein · 10/10 · 14 May 2019]

It seems that since the book and film White Oleander gave us a glimpse into foster care from a child's perspective, the only news we've gotten is the negative. All parenting is difficult and natural parents are equally imperfect or we wouldn't need foster care as much as we do. The documentary Foster gives us a side of the system that won't make the nightly news. We get to see the necessity, the opportunity, and the hope that foster care can bring into the lives of those involved. It's moving, we see the challenges, and the heroes like Ms. Beavers, and in the end it made me feel want to support those who devote their lives to this important cause.

the real story--a first-of-its-kind view into the realities of foster care

[nkendall-taylor · 10/10 · 12 May 2019]

FOSTER is a film that everyone in America should see--it provides a view of foster care that we all need to have so that we can have the discussions and support the kinds of changes to fully support ALL of our children and families. This is a first of a kind film with an inside view of the lives of a group of parents and young people in foster care. Can a movie change a conversation? I think so. And I think this is it.

Full disclosure: I advised on this film.

A heartfelt journey

[jeslex-17194 · 10/10 · 11 October 2019]

A movie that is, at the same time, uplifting and heartbreaking. Navigating a broken system that has so many people trying to make it work, the film introduces us to an amazing group of kids struggling to love and be loved, to workers who are doing their best to optimize the lives of these kids and the obstacles that need to be overcome. It is simultaneously hopeful and daunting. Definitely, a most insightful documentary.

Overrated

[ehornste · 4/10 · 19 May 2019]

Have watched twice (because this is my field) and was underwhelmed both times. Not sure what one learns by watching, and know that many people connected to the system feel this exploited the youth profiled.

A Must See Powerful Film

[luis-62 · 10/10 · 4 October 2019]

FOSTER is a must see documentary with the courage to shine an empathetic light on a massive government agency that usually garners only criticism . The Los Angles Foster care system is usually never seen or spoken about unless it fails. This film gives a balanced behind the scenes look that hasn't previously been shown. FOSTER manages to expertly interweave stories that show the various perspectives - from agency workers to the children and to parents who have lost their children. Especially powerful is Mrs. Beavers, an extraordinary woman who is the matriarch of a family of multi-ethnic children who otherwise would have fallen through the cracks. Heart breaking at times but also uplifting, FOSTER not only manages to educate us but also to inspire us as well.

Emotional rollercoaster.

[nancycordle · 10/10 · 18 May 2019]

I shed a lot of tears watching this documentary by HBO called Foster. There were many happy tears and many sad tears. My heart ached for these children and it made me wish that I could help them. My heart also rejoiced in their successes.

Has lots of objectively false claims, and all these ten star reviews are single use accounts, ie shills,

[random-70778 · 19 June 2021]

This is essentially an advert for Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, which is an agency that quintessential basket case. If anything the data support privatizing this work. I suggest for a more honest appraisal that you read "A Culture of fear: An Inside Look at Los Angeles County's Department of Children & Family Services" for a primer on the documented systematic abuses by DCFS and avoid this emotional cherry picked bogus "documentary."

On top of that, the peer reviewed DATA and STUDIES show that 90% of kids with a given number of issues who would normally be put in foster system, do BETTER staying with their parents. Ie the science shows for nine out of ten kids put in foster care, their long term outcomes would have been better if they had not been taken from their parents.

Lastly the ten star reviews for this nonsense "documentary" are single use accounts, meaning the makers and their pals at DCFS are even dishonest in shilling reviews.

The dignity of those who help

[serotta · 10/10 · 5 June 2020]

We all know that hundreds of thousands of American children spend their lives in foster care, and most of us try not to think about the subject. It's genuinely painful to think of children being bounced around from home to home, taken from abusive parents, trying to make their way in the world. I had heard good things of this film and rented it on iTunes, but swore that I'd hit the Stop button the minute it upset me. But I watched it, glued, for its entire length. We begin with a woman who's been taking in foster kids for decades (she herself grew up in a family of 18), a social worker who had been brutalised by her family, a teenage boy trying to make it, an 18 year old girl who just hopes she can, a judge who encourages the teenagers brought before him--and more. This is the kind of story telling every student of documentaries should watch, it's the kind of film concerned Americans should watch. It's about failing, it's about trying, it's about succeeding, and most of all, its about dignity.