Higher Love (2020) User Reviews

Grim, close-up, gut-wrenching

[joe-42309 · 10/10 · 13 December 2020]

Unparalleled access to a story that that too many of us know personally - friends/family trapped in a drug epidemic that destroys love and lives indiscriminately.... The only cliche I can think of to help describe the feelings I was left basking in after watching Higher Love is "Hope is the last to die"

A depressing and ultimately pointless watch

[jake_fantom · 1/10 · 22 July 2021]

This unremarkable slice-of-life documentary focuses on the relationship between a man who is possibly an alcoholic, and his considerably younger girlfriend, who is most assuredly a hardcore junkie. They have a small child together, a toddler. Throughout the repetitive film, the girl wanders off into the nightmare city of Camden, NJ in search of drugs, which she pays for with money earned from prostitution. The boyfriend is then seen searching the streets for her. Eventually, he finds her, begs her to give up her addict lifestyle - and winds up giving her money to buy more drugs. While she is turning tricks and shooting dope into her body, the boyfriend takes care of their child and somehow holds down a job, if the narrative is to be believed. Eventually, the addicted girlfriend agrees to go into treatment - but surprise, surprise, instead she wanders off into Camden again looking to score. This time her beau has had enough and takes a job elsewhere in the country, taking the child with him. There are a few other minor characters whose trajectories are equally exhilarating.

For its entire duration, there is not a single insight into the process of addiction, nor mention of a single solution to the problem. We are just watching the victims of addiction gradually implode. There's more than a hint of exploitation here, as the misery of addicted and degraded human beings is turned into an hour or so of entertainment for the more fortunate. Ordinarily, I would have given this film three stars - it is well shot and the viewer can't help becoming involved in the central narrative - but I feel compelled to provide a counterpoint to the 10-star reviews from the usual one-time reviewers who likely have some connection, financial or familial, to the filmmakers.

Compelling and Heartbreaking, A Must See Feature.

[stephen-47770 · 10/10 · 20 May 2020]

Having had the chance to see this film, I have not only learned so much more about the epidemic of the effects of drug addiction, but found that the compelling and heartbreaking story is all true. The film work, and the stories being told in this film, shoots it right to the top. If you see one movie this year, this is the one, because not only will you feel all of the feelings, but you will learn so much along the way.

A compelling, heartbreaking must watch!

[fahrinisa · 10/10 · 15 April 2020]

Higher Love tells the larger story of the opioid epidemic ravaging the US through the micro lens of the individual lives touched by this scourge. At once heartbreaking, it's also a tale of hope.

An absolute must watch.

[jbsilliman-07782 · 10/10 · 21 January 2021]

All I need to say is, if you have ever known someone and felt, "why would they do this?" You must watch this movie. Must just just watch.

A gripping and emotionally intuitive must see!

[refilms-55353 · 10/10 · 28 January 2021]

An incredibly powerful feature debut from Oswald. Higher Love, in its observational and unflinching style confronts viewers with the stark realities of Camden's opioid epidemic through voices of individuals/communities that are never genuinely expressed. A lens with little filter that proves gripping, infuriating and heartbreaking, while being patient, emotionally intuitive and without judgement from beginning to end. A must see doc!

A must see

[rawan_nimeh · 10/10 · 19 June 2021]

A gripping and heart wrenching tale of the opioid pandemic in the US. Oswald's feature film beautifully brings the viewer into a world they would have never had access to otherwise. Oswald brings the characters to life through his art, creating a platform for them to share their narratives with the world.

Epic!

[lashondadevaughn · 10/10 · 24 May 2022]

Higher Love is a raw, up-close-and-personal depiction of what it's like to love someone who doesn't want to be saved due to an addiction that comes before everything and everyone! Even pregnancy and the presence of a new life couldn't defeat the monster that so many families know as addiction. The relationship between Nani and Daryl was toxic but he didn't want to give up on a love that he knew could be so beautiful. I've watched Higher Love too many times to count and each time the story yanked at heart strings. I wish I could give it 20 stars! It's a MUST SEE!!!! Bravo!