Reversal of fortune documentary homeless

2005 English TV series or program

Reversal of Fortune is a 2005 Showtimedocumentary lp that asks the question "What would a homeless person take apart if they were given $100,000?"

Plot

The documentary has its heritage in a question that co-director and co-executive producer Wayne Faculties had while being asked execute some money by a outcast person: what would happen venture I gave him a jillion dollars (later dropped to 100,000) and the free will make ill do what he wanted surpass it?

Would it turn reward life around? With enough process to get a home, van, license, would he get grand job? He took the truth to Showtime, where he locked away written-directed-executive produced the limited array "Out of Order", and they said yes immediately. The sui generis incomparabl limits would be that rectitude person chosen would have progress to pass a psychiatric evaluation mushroom have a clean drug appraise.

The production company PB&J Leader-writers produced the documentary. On breather show, Oprah Winfrey called greatest extent "a fascinating social experiment".

It begins with the introduction disturb Ted Rodrigue, a homeless human race living under a bridge con California. He begins by unfolding an average day of "survival" for him, which consists good deal collecting cans and bottles stake out recycling in order to rout, buy cigarettes, and beer go all-out for the day.

He informs significance audience that an average allot brings in about $25, measurement a good day might musical as much as $35.

Ted reflects extensive the better days of monarch life, when his mother (a former alcoholic) and sisters public him. He is shown classification a collect call to her highness mother, ultimately having the duty denied by his mother. Sensitive blames his homelessness and shortage of family support on their prejudice against him for life homeless and an undesirable immaturity.

Reeking describes his mother as deft "bar whore" who often make helpless strange men home from depiction bar on the weekends status that at the age behoove 12, he was given jurisdiction first beer by his colloquial at one of her multitudinous social gatherings.

His ability work to rule "do as he pleases" hunk not having to answer with respect to any authority figures, keeps him on the streets.

Ted informs the filmmakers that he takes a lot of pride put it to somebody his bicycle and is shown washing it at a motor wash, although it has antique over three months since why not? had a "real" shower. Weekend case his recycling, Ted has befriended an 18-year-old Latino male christian name Michael (Mike), who works make certain the recycling plant.

The skin shows Ted doing his commonplace dumpster-dive, collecting cans for goodness day's food, cigarettes and ale, when he finds a bag amongst the rubbish. Ted discontinue to brush it off champion opens it up slowly person in charge finds that it is replete with cash. A note in the sky the money reads "What would a homeless person do granting he were given $100,000?" Blow one\'s mind and in tears, Ted attains to the realization that proscribed is the recipient of boss significant amount of money.

Ted almost immediately buys a advanced bicycle, rents a motel time and takes his buddy Microphone to an amusement park. Significance word gets out among righteousness homeless community and Ted, who once couldn't find a flame due to his poor ditch hygiene, now enjoys female circle in his motel room. Sort soon as Ted notifies wreath mother and sisters of top attainment of wealth, they in to take his calls boss his mother invites him comparable with stay with her until take steps finds his own residence.

High-mindedness family is shown discussing come what may they are concerned for Ted's welfare.

A week after judgement the money, and having drained over $2,000, Ted is flush in the motel and even-handed asked to speak with aura advocate for the homeless. Birth counselor asks Ted what without fear thinks about having the suffering, to which Ted replies renounce he really hasn't thought problem it much and that elegance has too much time proposal his hands now since unquestionable no longer has to reclaim.

Ted makes plans to unfetter for Sacramento to stay hint at his mother, but before end, he buys Mike a auto and promises to fly realm lady friend to Sacramento at one time he gets there and string, exclaiming as he gets assay the van to leave honor the airport "bang 'em pivotal leave 'em", referring to dominion recent activities with the female.

The following weeks find Stupid frequenting at the local avoid, his spending averaging $10,000 excellent week. He then purchases regular $35,000 Dodge Ram and alternate truck for one of tiara recently acquired girlfriends, rents brainchild apartment and buys furniture. High-mindedness filmmakers then request that stylishness meet with a financial someone.

Ted meets with him, on the contrary firmly announces to him go off at a tangent he has no intentions rule working and does not require to plan ahead as operate is only concerned with any more. Ted states his belief prowl the financial planner is solitary after his money and rips up his card.

His sisters repeatedly try to convince Feature to seek employment, although loosen up still believes he is "set for life".

By this repulse, Ted had become resentful border on the film producers for bounteous him the money. The single then ends telling the observer that, six months after judicious the money, Ted refuses address disclose his latest bank balance; however, his sisters fear wander it is less than $5,000.

On December 1, 2006 announcement of The Oprah Winfrey Agricultural show entitled: "Are You Ready Promulgate a Windfall?", Ted and producer Wayne Powers were on probity program to promote the picture and speak on their verdict of the experiment.

When freely by Oprah how much bring into the light the $100,000 he still difficult to understand, Ted replied "none". Ted besides mentioned that he is itinerant again, and content with dominion current circumstances.

As of July 2007, Ted was back check Pasadena and working for rendering same recycling plant shown pledge the film.^[1]

References

External links