Michael_Elliott Reversal of Fortune (2005) **** (out of 4) This here's a pretty amazing documentary that I'd probably put on my ten best of the decade so far. The film tells the story of a man named Ted who has been homeless for the past twenty-five years. His family pretty much wants nothing from him, his only friend is an 18-year-old who works at a recycling plant where Ted earns some small cash and he's got a bad drinking problem. The documentary then takes Ted's life into a new direction when the producer's give him $100,000 and then we see what the man decides to do with the money. The idea of giving a homeless man $100,000 is a great little gimmick and it leads to some truly beautiful, funny and heartbreaking scenes as we see Ted for the next six months of his life. I've always said the most beautiful scene in film history was the blind hermit/monster scene from The Bride of Frankenstein but there are a few moments in this film that really challenge that. The reaction of Ted when he learns about the money is priceless as is the scene where he helps out his only friend by buying him his first car. Of course, the story isn't all happy and hopefully we'll get a bigger follow up at some point.

tonybigcharles as always this is an inaccurate picture of the homeless. TV told a lot of lies about panhandlers in the early 1990s and made everyone look bad, and claimed we all made over $100 a day when $20-40 a day was much closer to reality. when someone drove by where i held up a sign offering to work, and offered me work, i actually went and took the work if i was physically able.and if i would been offered the $100,000 id damned sure invested in in apt prepaid for at least 2 years, and kept most in the bank and still left myself $10-20000 for NL $1-2 and $2-5 cash games at the casinos. i usually always win and could win decent if i just had a bankroll. instead i win about $1000 a month is all playing in always minimum buying in due to not wanting to risk losing it all. i was only homeless cause i didn't wanna risk spending all my money and going broke, sometimes i had over $1000-2000 in my sock while i slept outside. anyone wanting to talk contact sevencard2003 on yahoo messenger.i admit i was different than most homeless people though, due to the fact i never drank smoke or took drugs. im no longer homeless, am now in govt housing for $177 a month and getting SSI and spend most of my time winning at online poker. mom and sunflower diversified worked hard to get me SSI. glad my days of hiding in under the stage in the convention center of the casino at night sleeping, worrying about getting caught by security are finally over. had this TV crew picked me theyd been over a lot sooner. its a shame how they don't better select who they pick.

John Chambers The only thing wrong with this documentary is that is didn't follow Ted around a little bit longer. If it would have, I am almost certain he would have ended up back on the streets.It's like he really didn't believe he deserved the money, and he could not cope with the responsibilities of it. He needed a great deal of guidance and therapy.It was certainly nice of him to buy his friend a car, but he could have just as easily given him $5,000.00 and said, "Go buy a car." Instead of taking on the entire $11K ...BUT WHEN HE PURCHASED HIS OWN $35,000.00 vehicle, I KNEW then it as all over. I thought, there Ted goes-- back to life under the bridge.Saddest part was his sisters seemed so willing to help without wanting any thing from him, but he kept accusing them-- saying "Everybody wants something from me." Dumbo...your sisters only wanted you to succeed. And, this 100K, was the beginning of what could have been a life changing event, instead of a six month party, carefree, I'll spend what I want, when I want, type of sad experience. What a shame. Truly.

samsg First of all, i just saw this on showtime recently. This documentary is extremely riveting, and you're always curious about what Ted is doing. In fact, it seems to be that the homeless life is for him as he has no idea about the responsibility that comes with 100,000.Towards the beginning, it shows Ted as a normal person. He is homeless and it kind of makes you feel awful for treating the homeless the way that people do. In fact, Ted seems to be a decent person with good intentions.Once Ted receives his $100,000 he conservatively spends his money on small items. However, once he gets the feeling of how much money he is left with after he recklessly spends his money on women, beer, and useless items, he is going to end up where he started, but worse.Because now, Ted has lost something what he once had. A second chance at a normal life.The pacing is excellent, and it shows the darker side of Ted once he receives this money. In the end, it makes you realize why he is homeless, and why he'll always be homeless..