This is easily one of the best documentaries out there. I actually never thought of this film as an apology film. Steve James was very fair and honest. He did what he could to try and help his 'little brother' even after all those years. Unfortunately some people can just not be helped, no matter how hard we try. The film helps teach us many life lessons. It's a lot about choices and sometimes choices people make will not only effect them for the rest of their life, but other people as well. Despite not working out, Steve James made a great choice by trying to help a loved one. No excuse for what Stevie did but Wendy knew better than to have someone like Stevie as a babysitter especially knowing his history. Stevie should have kept more positive people in his life and not involved himself with criminals. Choices..
Yeah my wife and I rewatched Stevie last night and talked about the same thing. Even with Stevie being her nephew why would you leave him alone with your kids? He talks about hitting people in the head with hammers or shooting people like it's nothing.
Thank you for this update and interview. I watched this film back in 2004 and just rewatched it yesterday. Still as good as it was. Sorry to hear Stevie didn't mend his ways. What a tragic life he has lived.
This film for some crazy reason needed to be made by Steve James!! I grew up poor and never felt the way others have. I think it did a perfect job. I crawled out of hell in Missouri and I am doing well now.
I'm pretty content in southeast Missouri. There are a lot of crazy druggies around here but I stay away from them and mind my own business. Good to hear you're doing well.
I was deeply moved by this documentary I stumbled upon on Prime..not only is my Dad's family from Marion IL. But I had a similar Stevie in my life. Thankfully not to depths of the one here but i sure learned a lot about how far child abuse and abandonment can possibly effect one's whole life. This was outstanding work . A sequel to answer soo many questions would be AMAZING 👏
I agree with you about the movie. I wonder about the victim who's in her thirties now and how she's doing. I hope you're doing well as well. I'm in southeast Missouri and have been to Pomona when we went to a natural bridge conservation area by there. I also had to detour over to Cedar lake to check it out on a trip to Carbondale before. It was pretty and had a nice picnic area from what I remember.
I finished watching 'Stevie' lastnight and it was definitely interesting. I felt sorry for Stevie and found myself forgetting that there was a victim. I wish his family could have come together for him when he was younger so maybe he could have had a different future.
Sorry to discover recently that Stevie has been locked up in Portland a couple times in the past few years. A life wasted. Such a riveting film. I’ve seen it five times.
Yeah unfortunately he probably won't make it. He's also quite violent (it was touched on in the film but he has a lot of violent charges), and is kind of the very definition of someone who should not be walking around. It's incredibly sad, he was once just a shy little kid who other people took advantage of
'Stevie', for me, is just about the most affecting documentary I've ever watched. Maybe because I'm in Indiana and I'm familiar with guys like Stevie, the whole culture he grew up in. The look on Stevie's face in the last few frames, after he's spent some time in prison, is haunting. He looks like he's just ran into some very serious reality and he can't minimize it or run away from it or joke about it. He's in prison as a chomo, and he's in hell.
I wrote Stevie, in prison and The letters I got back were very strange. This was back in mid 2000’s… my wife freaked out😂. I wonder what he’s up to in 2024
@@Airikka76 I showed the documentary to a couple of my friends so they could have a laugh at "this dumbass redneck". Almost like a comedy film but yeah it was pretty uncomfortable once you reach the halfway point and the horrifying charges against him come forward.
Wow ; I watched the doc many years ago, all of us here in murphysboro were all amazed that this movie was rented at blockbuster lol but anyways I really wish there had been more info about him included in this. A lot of things that Stevie did caused quite a lot of turmoil in my life a well. Thru most of 1992 actually... I ve been listening to several podcasts today and oddly enough it seems as there is a lot of sympathy for Steve and it just kinda gets under my skin because there are still so many things y'all don't know about him m you don't know some of the torturous, scary things that he's capable of.
Ok so.....then instead of being amazed at people having sympathy for a cognitively disabled individual being put through hell and becoming exactly what they predicted, how should we view this? Instead of being vague, tell us what he did then? Rather than make people feel bad, inform us as to why we should hate him.
There is no justifying it. That I agree with. But these circumstances were layed out before Stevie even reached sexual maturity and were even predicted. Shouldn't we hate the system? I'm not saying canonize the guy, but at what point does a guy with an IQ in the retarded range, who has been mentally, physically, and sexually tormented most of his life, come out thinking that what he did was ok or wrong? Prison won't do anything for him or anyone in the administration that is trying to understand and stop these things from happening prior to when they do. I'm saying let's learn from this example rather than shove him in with the rest of the chomos that definitely knew what they were doing, and multiple times.
Following for an update. I just read a comment under another video from someone reporting to be Stevie and Brenda's older sister. She said Stevie lived with her when he was released from prison. She said she hasn't seen or heard from him in 5 years. The last arrest I found was 2019 in Baton Rouge.
Stevie was told to "forget" what his mom did to him. We need to stop with this Forgive & Forget crap. Because of our bodies and nervous systems, there's no such thing as "forgetting". The response to triggers may seem intense, but trust, it's tied to a very real threat our bodies are remembering. Healing is creating safety inside old memories.
I have watched this probably 5 times.. unbelievable documentary
This is easily one of the best documentaries out there. I actually never thought of this film as an apology film. Steve James was very fair and honest. He did what he could to try and help his 'little brother' even after all those years. Unfortunately some people can just not be helped, no matter how hard we try. The film helps teach us many life lessons. It's a lot about choices and sometimes choices people make will not only effect them for the rest of their life, but other people as well. Despite not working out, Steve James made a great choice by trying to help a loved one. No excuse for what Stevie did but Wendy knew better than to have someone like Stevie as a babysitter especially knowing his history. Stevie should have kept more positive people in his life and not involved himself with criminals. Choices..
Yeah my wife and I rewatched Stevie last night and talked about the same thing. Even with Stevie being her nephew why would you leave him alone with your kids? He talks about hitting people in the head with hammers or shooting people like it's nothing.
Thank you for this update and interview. I watched this film back in 2004 and just rewatched it yesterday. Still as good as it was. Sorry to hear Stevie didn't mend his ways. What a tragic life he has lived.
This film for some crazy reason needed to be made by Steve James!! I grew up poor and never felt the way others have. I think it did a perfect job. I crawled out of hell in Missouri and I am doing well now.
I'm pretty content in southeast Missouri. There are a lot of crazy druggies around here but I stay away from them and mind my own business. Good to hear you're doing well.
I was deeply moved by this documentary I stumbled upon on Prime..not only is my Dad's family from Marion IL. But I had a similar Stevie in my life. Thankfully not to depths of the one here but i sure learned a lot about how far child abuse and abandonment can possibly effect one's whole life. This was outstanding work . A sequel to answer soo many questions would be AMAZING 👏
I agree with you about the movie. I wonder about the victim who's in her thirties now and how she's doing. I hope you're doing well as well. I'm in southeast Missouri and have been to Pomona when we went to a natural bridge conservation area by there. I also had to detour over to Cedar lake to check it out on a trip to Carbondale before. It was pretty and had a nice picnic area from what I remember.
Everything Steve does is fantastic. Such an eye for storytelling. Stevie is my favorite from an amazing filmography.
I finished watching 'Stevie' lastnight and it was definitely interesting. I felt sorry for Stevie and found myself forgetting that there was a victim. I wish his family could have come together for him when he was younger so maybe he could have had a different future.
Sorry to discover recently that Stevie has been locked up in Portland a couple times in the past few years. A life wasted. Such a riveting film. I’ve seen it five times.
@@Mike-sp4iz I did a lot of searching and found two mugshots from Oregon the past few years.
Yeah unfortunately he probably won't make it. He's also quite violent (it was touched on in the film but he has a lot of violent charges), and is kind of the very definition of someone who should not be walking around. It's incredibly sad, he was once just a shy little kid who other people took advantage of
'Stevie', for me, is just about the most affecting documentary I've ever watched. Maybe because I'm in Indiana and I'm familiar with guys like Stevie, the whole culture he grew up in. The look on Stevie's face in the last few frames, after he's spent some time in prison, is haunting. He looks like he's just ran into some very serious reality and he can't minimize it or run away from it or joke about it. He's in prison as a chomo, and he's in hell.
I wrote Stevie, in prison and The letters I got back were very strange. This was back in mid 2000’s… my wife freaked out😂.
I wonder what he’s up to in 2024
Crazy how this masterpiece wasn't even nominated for an Oscar.
This Documentary was amazing I loved it!
He must find Stevie and the remaining cast. Such a great great film
Would love a current update after all these years.
I've always wondered what happened to Wendy. Compelling portrait...
Same here
Can anyone tell me TRUTHFULLY how Stevie is doing today and if he's still alive? Thanks.
All I could find is that he is back in prison for not registering as a sex offender
@@JakeTDandFinnTH What state?
@@lk3309 I would love to know also.
@@michellecogdill6128Baton Rouge LA
@@Airikka76 I showed the documentary to a couple of my friends so they could have a laugh at "this dumbass redneck". Almost like a comedy film but yeah it was pretty uncomfortable once you reach the halfway point and the horrifying charges against him come forward.
Wow ; I watched the doc many years ago, all of us here in murphysboro were all amazed that this movie was rented at blockbuster lol but anyways I really wish there had been more info about him included in this. A lot of things that Stevie did caused quite a lot of turmoil in my life a well. Thru most of 1992 actually... I ve been listening to several podcasts today and oddly enough it seems as there is a lot of sympathy for Steve and it just kinda gets under my skin because there are still so many things y'all don't know about him m you don't know some of the torturous, scary things that he's capable of.
Ok so.....then instead of being amazed at people having sympathy for a cognitively disabled individual being put through hell and becoming exactly what they predicted, how should we view this? Instead of being vague, tell us what he did then? Rather than make people feel bad, inform us as to why we should hate him.
A reasonable person can mentally justify murder in the correct circumstances and context. Rape and child-rape can never be justified.
There is no justifying it. That I agree with. But these circumstances were layed out before Stevie even reached sexual maturity and were even predicted. Shouldn't we hate the system? I'm not saying canonize the guy, but at what point does a guy with an IQ in the retarded range, who has been mentally, physically, and sexually tormented most of his life, come out thinking that what he did was ok or wrong? Prison won't do anything for him or anyone in the administration that is trying to understand and stop these things from happening prior to when they do. I'm saying let's learn from this example rather than shove him in with the rest of the chomos that definitely knew what they were doing, and multiple times.
He fondled a kid......horrible but not unredeemable..... atleast thats my opinion....
Hope Stevie is doing better. Hope his jeans are high and tight.
he is dead, found him under a bridge in lafayette Louisiana
@@oxyman9604 got a link giving this info?
@@oxyman9604 Where did you get this information from? We all want to know.
Following for an update. I just read a comment under another video from someone reporting to be Stevie and Brenda's older sister. She said Stevie lived with her when he was released from prison. She said she hasn't seen or heard from him in 5 years. The last arrest I found was 2019 in Baton Rouge.
Stevie should of been medicated and put somewhere.. I know these places don't exist
I married a very normal woman about 20 years about. She had a brother exactly like Stevie!! I dealt with him for years. Very crazy lunatic
What happened to your Stevie?
Stevie was told to "forget" what his mom did to him. We need to stop with this Forgive & Forget crap. Because of our bodies and nervous systems, there's no such thing as "forgetting". The response to triggers may seem intense, but trust, it's tied to a very real threat our bodies are remembering. Healing is creating safety inside old memories.
Can anyone tell me how I can write to Stevie? Want to help. Is he currently in jail?
absolutely terrible interviewer