Director Peter Scheer’s guidance documentary centers on Austin Guerra, a NJ-based young man whose ADHD, Tourette’s syndrome, and chronic anxiety are cited as reasons for his getting into drugs. Opening with home movies and comments from family and friends—alternatively characterizing Guerra as a "free bird" or simply "out of control"—Broken Lines recalls Guerra’s volatile childhood tantrums (such as kicking his mom’s seat so she couldn’t drive), pain from Tourette tics, and battles with his younger sister. Guerra himself talks about selling drugs out of the family home, a stint in rehab, and the painful aftereffects of an August 2010 car accident he caused by thrill-seeking driving at 100 mph. Although the program features some heavy-handed and mawkish vignettes (including Guerra trudging down the yellow lines of a street to the song "We’re Going to Be Friends"), Guerra’s story has a redemptive ending, with his return to college, mending of fences with family and friends, and newfound career goals in the mental health industry. A strong optional purchase. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Williams-Wood)
Broken Lines: A Story of Addiction
(2018) 32 min. DVD: $149.95 (study guide included). Human Relations Media. PPR. Closed captioned. ISBN: 978-1-62706-105-6. Volume 33, Issue 5
Broken Lines: A Story of Addiction
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