katzinoire Not just from losing Evan, but the loss of Scott-an Uncle he never had the pleasure of meeting. I was thinking at one point if only Scott had lived, Evan would have had someone who truly understood how he felt.Having a Special Needs child myself (Bi-Polar, Depression, ADHD etc are special needs)this film both moved me and terrified me. When my son was 12 he wanted to commit suicide, explaining to his therapist that what prevented him from doing it was knowing how much it would hurt me, and also that his late Step-Father, who died in 2005 from heart issues, had no choice but to die and it left my son with a certain reverence and respect for life in the process. At now, almost 14-he's doing fine-for now. I know from being a parent that doing fine is ALWAYS a "for now" and this documentary shows it.The filmmakers were, in my opinion no way exploiting their late son, in a way they were spreading a message about depression/Bi-Polar, as well as coping with their loss. That loss was very, very real-they even documented the funeral.Evan-from an outsiders point-of-view, was a smart, handsome and talented child who was, sadly, born with a pre-disposition to feel things 100x more than a normal human being-with that empathy came depression, moods, jaded mentality and it was simply too much for him to bear.His father, having experienced the loss of Scott, as well as the paternal Grandparents-their pain was so overwhelming, I did cry watching them dealing with Evan's suicide,memories of Scott's suicide. I hope this film brought some closer for the Perrys. I hope it is watched and maybe, perhaps will prevent another family they'll most likely never meet help their own child. God bless them for being so brave to do this documentary and I hope it brought them even a small amount of peace.

Emme Nix I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Though I saw it last year, I still can't get it out of my mind. It shows the hardships of dealing with a child with a mental disorder, yet shows it in such a way that you are left going "Wow, that was absolutely beautiful" instead of rolling your eyes. I rarely cry during a film, but this did it for me. Like others said, it did provide more than just the parent's and the family's points of view, because when someone takes their own life, it does affect everyone around them and not just immediate family. I liked how the director, Evan's mother, went into detail with the possible cause of his obsession with suicide (his uncle's own self-inflicted fate), the whole documentary was very real and down to earth. It did leave you with many emotions. For me, the first was grief. Grief because I felt like I had gotten to know this boy over the 92 moments I had been watching his life, his childhood. Then I felt frustration. Frustration for how this boy was getting all of this medical and mental help without getting better. Lastly, there was anger. I immediately blamed his physicians for his death. Doctors and therapists who have dealt with depression victims before should know the signs of thoughts of suicide. When he asked to be taken off the Lithium, they should have been suspicious, not just give him the o.k. But those are my personal views, and this is about the film. I can say that I doubt I'll ever be so moved by a documentary again, this piece of work will make you hug whoever else may be in the room and tell them you love them.

filmscribe Heart wrenching film very well done by parents who have lived through THE WORST thing that could happen From the surface this child could not have had a better life. Well off, attentive parents, and had all the advantages. Yet he could not get past the darkness inside him. So chilling that he manifested these behaviors at such an early age.To the commentator who was critical of the psychiatrist....you cant assume all bi-polar people have the same experience. Im glad you know some who have managed to lead normal lives and respond to medication and therapy. but I personally know of two bipolar people, early 30s, both highly educated, who are unable to function as independent adults because of bipolar disorder. They have both had solid access to medical attention. I think sometimes the disorder is just too heavy. I think also there are personality traits outside the bipolar disorder that are specific to some individuals which exaggerate or enhance the challenges.

oceanchick Moving story delicately told by filmmaker parents about the struggle with a suicidal son suffering severe bipolar depression. Most should watch it for the story in itself, but as a documentary filmmaker, I look for things besides the story and I was very impressed at the caliber of film making done by Dana and Hart Perry who are obviously very close to the story. This is often the most difficult type of documentary to make.The documentary is done quite well. Through the use of still images and home video of their son, Evan, and family in good times and bad, Dana Perry was able to set the emotional mood of their situation. At times it seemed their emotion was almost palpable, like the feeling of high humidity, when it feels as if the air is heavy on the skin. Hart Perry, as Director of Photography, lit beautiful interview shots in multiple locations and the interview footage was done top drawer. Editing style was appropriate for the film and allowed emotional lingering while blending interviews, home video, still images, and B-Roll cohesively. Title cards were used poignantly, and in my opinion, properly, and thankfully without spelling errors. Music was not overpowering and the selections were not heavy handed.The interview selection was very revealing about Evan's life and problems as it presented itself to everyone around him, from his parents, siblings and grandparents to counselors, doctors, psychiatrists, teachers, friends, and even Evan himself.The subject matter is dark but educational, and it reveals Evan did indeed have legitimate mental disorders and that his parents and doctors did all they could to help him live a normal life. I believe this documentary should be seen by all parents, especially when and if a member of their family begins to behave in erratic suicidal behavior. But I also feel this documentary would be touching to anyone who watches it just to see the story of the Perry family as they decided to share it with the world.The documentary is done professionally and the viewer can become immersed in the story and remain so without any poorly done segments breaking the mood. It is considerably better than the similarly themed documentary "Does Your Soul Have a Cold" where typos abound, editing was lax, inappropriate footage included breaking the mood and so forth.I recommend this documentary to everyone without hesitation.7/10 I am a harsh critic, so for a documentary to be a 7, it has to be very good. I think the only documentaries that received higher ratings are Wide Awake by Berliner, Hear and Now by Irene Brodsky and the french documentary Night and Fog which was so quietly emotionally impacting I had to watch it in two sessions. I feel Boy Interrupted is far better than Born into Brothels, which is a highly acclaimed and popular documentary.