A well-meaning documentary that advocates for a broader societal acceptance of addiction as a chronic disease of the brain, The Anonymous People leads with its considerable heart, but can’t summon the sort of order and focus necessary to convert generalized sympathy into stronger lasting memory and impulse for action. Flitting to and fro, and alighting on a wide range of related but not always smoothly integrated topics — from the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous and biased drug infraction prison sentencing to a series of testimonials from public figures and arguments for greater health care cost controls for addicts — the movie carries an important message, but too often feels like a free-association sermon for the choir. For the full, original review, from ShockYa, click here. (Kino Lorber, unrated, 102 minutes)
« Rio 2