john496
Wow, this was an awful movie. Could they have picked 2 more uninteresting people to travel the world? I would have rather seen these guys on Jersey Shore. It's almost embarrassing to watch them try to say something intelligent. Ex: The black and white scenes in the car with memorable lines such as "It's just like..kinda like....(sigh) I don't know" The music is horrible and sappy..it attempts to make something powerful out of the scenes, but there is very little of value. The part where he walks up to his father after 10 years is filled with uncomfortable silence. A better name of the film would have been: "Filming people in pain while total uninteresting idiots walk around with them."
wolverines1012
This 'documentary' was shot well, edited well, and had a decent soundtrack. Unfortunately it followed a bunch of naive New York urbanites as they anecdotally experienced the world and made vague references to discovering the meaning of live/human experience. It gave me the same feeling as if I had watched a real housewife of Orange County take a mission trip to Africa with a mega church. I was amazed at how uninformed these guys were as to the amount of suffering in the world, I'm also amazed that they don't realize they are at the tip of the iceberg of suffering. People can make a difference in the world, but what this film left out was that it doesn't generally happen by going to a developing nation and changing some bandages; doing so might make one feel helpful and needed, it will also provide fodder for an 'inspirational' book or documentary if that is your thing. I realize this wasn't meant to be a how-to on solving global inequality or poverty alleviation, but I also don't see how viewing people in relatively bad situations who are happy to be alive provides the key to life. It was alluded to that the cast didn't necessarily have an easy life by Western standards, but had this film followed the cast of Jersey Shore around the world, I don't think it would be as popular and I don't see how it is that far off. I enjoyed several of the commentators throughout the film and would like to have heard more from them, unfortunately they were spliced together with the unintelligible mumblings of the main characters.
Betsy Malone
I attended a screening of The Human Experience in Louisville Kentucky at Trinity high school in 2009 and was truly moved by this documentary. It's not a typical documentary... as it doesn't develop one character for the audience to identify with... however it still captivates the audience because it is authentic, redemptive, and inspiring.So what's so shocking?This true story is about a young man and his brother who visit several places of profound suffering. They spend a week living among the homeless on the streets of New York City. They visit a Peruvian home for abandoned and severely crippled children. Finally, they travel to an Africa, interviewing people dying of AIDS and people exiled to a leper colony. On the surface, the film sounds depressing and could leave you confused with all the suffering in our world. To the contrary and true to the title... The Human Experience... is experiential and touches the heart to bring about a human response. When we connect with others and understand their experience we learn what it means to be human. You'll enjoy vivid cinematography, penetrating commentaries, and varied views that appeal to all walks of life. The experience will leave you feeling inspired, hopeful, and even more human!Kudos to director, Charles Kinnane, and stars, Jeffrey Azize, Clifford Azize, and Michael Campo! 3rd Dog Script aka Betsy Banfield-Malone
elianarra
I first saw The Human Experience in April 2009 at Penn State University. One of the things that first drew me to the film was the beautiful soundtrack by composer Thomas Bergersen, which I heard on the website. The Human Experience has a lot to offer, both in terms of aesthetics and in terms of content. The cinematography was lush and vivid, transporting the audience to the places that Jeff, Michael, and their friends visit during the film. I was particularly intrigued by the interview segments where various individuals shared their thoughts about the meaning of life. These moments of reflection provided an opportunity for viewers to ponder the question themselves. The plot is also an interesting one, where four refreshingly sincere people set off to "experience" a day in someone else's shoes, expecting no gain except a deeper understanding of human life. Documentary films can often be preachy, one-note; sacrificing the conventions of storytelling to drive a particular message. The Human Experience tells a great story AND has a great message. For someone who tends to watch fiction-narrative most of the time, I found this documentary film to be very engaging and interesting. I would definitely recommend it, both to aspiring filmmakers, humanitarians, and anyone who wants to learn more about the world, its people, and the value of life.
AD
