Chicago – The little boy looks intently at his hand. He’s trying with all his might to solve a math problem posed by his father, whose tenderness and patience have begun to reach their breaking point. As the camera closes in on the boy’s face, his eyes glisten with frustration until his mind reaches an epiphany: 2 plus 3 equals 5. In that one beautiful shot, the miracle of learning is captured on film.
This is one of several heartrending moments in “The Lottery,” a touching and provocative documentary that is in danger of being confused with Davis Guggenheim’s upcoming doc, “Waiting for Superman,” which treads similar ground on a bigger budget. “Lottery” was helmed by Madeleine Sackler, a 27-year-old director making her feature film debut. It is a remarkable achievement, and suggests that the topic of America’s failing education system may be too vital and sprawling to be adequately explored in just one film.
This is one of several heartrending moments in “The Lottery,” a touching and provocative documentary that is in danger of being confused with Davis Guggenheim’s upcoming doc, “Waiting for Superman,” which treads similar ground on a bigger budget. “Lottery” was helmed by Madeleine Sackler, a 27-year-old director making her feature film debut. It is a remarkable achievement, and suggests that the topic of America’s failing education system may be too vital and sprawling to be adequately explored in just one film.
- 9/8/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
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