First Circle

The documentary follows several families that deal with the foster care system. The movie looks at how the system affects not only the children, but the offenders, the survivors, the recovered, the extended family, and those who are simply trying to help, from the recently divorced mother who becomes a foster care parent the the police woman who must act as a social worker to ensure the safety of all. The documentary is not slow moving at all. No particular message is preached, and it is not just a tale of a few families, but a message about the whole foster care system. I found the documentary very moving, well-written, and sensitive tot he plights of all involved.